Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Could Include Ace Combat Zero as a Pre-Order Bonus, Per SteamDB Listing

References for the 2006 PS2 title were spotted on the upcoming sequel's SteamDB page alongside those indicating an online component.

After more than six years, Project Aces finally revealed Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, the next title in the long-running flight combat franchise. It’s out later this year with more details still to come, but it seems that few bits have leaked courtesy of updates to the game’s SteamDB listing.

As outlined by Ace Combat Wiki (via Ikcatcher), references to Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War have been added. On the surface, this is interesting because it only ever launched on the PlayStation 2 back in 2006, so a contemporary port may be on the way. The fact that it’s part of Ace Combat 8’s listing may point towards its availability as a pre-order bonus.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Bandai Namco has offered such benefits, much less in the Ace Combat franchise. Pre-orders for Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, for instance, included a copy of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.

However, that’s not all. A closed network test is also seemingly on the cards for Ace Combat Online, which could be Ace Combat 8’s online PvP mode. While these updates don’t indicate a release timing, it wouldn’t be surprising to see an update at a major showcase like State of Play (rumored for the week of February 12th).

PINCH OF SALT WARNINGIkcatcher saw AC8's SteamDB listing has been updated to add what APPEARS to be a PC port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. Separate launch options are also present, including a "CNT" for AC8 which may be a Closed Network Test.steamdb.info/app/2288340/…

Ace Combat Wiki (@acecombat.wiki) 2026-01-31T08:02:51.928Z

Another launch option included is a SteamOS launch for "ACZero".AC8's install directory is listed as "RUKBAT", which… we don't know what that means. It could be a codename for the game, referencing a star in the Sagittarius constellation, but we're not sure.

Ace Combat Wiki (@acecombat.wiki) 2026-01-31T08:02:51.929Z
Ace Combat 8: Wings of TheveAce combat zero: The Belkan Warbandai namcopcProject AcesPS2ps5Xbox Series SXbox Series X