Ace Combat 8 passes 1 million copies in its first week

Ace Combat has never had a launch week like this. Bandai Namco says Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve has sold one million copies worldwide faster than any other game in the series, and it got there within its first week on sale. That's a strong start, and it raises an obvious question: how does it stack up against the series' biggest hit? 

The numbers so far

The news came through official Ace Combat social media posts on October 9, 2026. The message said AC8 "has surpassed 1 million copies worldwide faster than any other title in the series" and thanked players around the world.

Bandai Namco also promised to keep releasing updates for the game. It didn't say what those updates will include or when they'll arrive, so that part needs verification as details emerge. To mark the milestone, a commemorative wallpaper featuring Tasha has been added to the Ace Combat website for fans to download.

Can AC8 catch its predecessor?

Push Square's Stephen Tailby thinks Ace Combat 8 will overtake Ace Combat 7 "without too much trouble." He also calls it the most polished and robust Ace Combat to date, though that's one critic's view rather than a sales fact.

Our read is a little more cautious. One week of sales is a strong signal, not a trend. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the series' best seller, needed well over a year to hit two million and has since climbed to 7.5 million, which suggests sales in this series can keep building long after launch. AC8 has a real shot, but the answer will take months to play out.

Ace Combat 8 now holds a new record for the series, and a 7.5 million target to chase. It has the early momentum, but whether it reaches Ace Combat 7's total is a months-long story, not a one-week one. Can't wait to join the squadron? Remember to check our website to grab Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve at the cheapest price before you take off.