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Ace Combat Zero on Steam: the standalone version is out for Ace Combat 8 pre-order owners, and saves carry over
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War has run as a standalone app on Steam since Oct. 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET, Oct. 23 in Japan, Bandai Namco says, but only for players who got it as the pre-order bonus of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. Until then, the 2006 flight game opened only through Ace Combat 8, because of licensing restrictions and platform considerations. The standalone version installs and plays without Ace Combat 8 on the PC, arrives in Steam libraries in stages, and picks up existing saves automatically on the same PC. Players who don't own the pre-order bonus can't get Ace Combat Zero through this change. Ace Combat 8 costs $69.99 on Steam, and the Deluxe Edition $89.99. Its next patch, update 1.01.002, was set for Oct. 23 in Japan and is delayed with no new date.
- PC
Ace Combat Zero finally runs on its own on Steam, three weeks after Ace Combat 8 came out. Here’s who gets the standalone version, how saves move over and what the delayed Ace Combat 8 update 1.01.002 fixes.
Who gets the standalone Ace Combat Zero?
Only players who got Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War as the pre-order bonus of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. Bandai Namco released the standalone app on Oct. 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET (Oct. 23 in Japan), and adds it to eligible Steam libraries in stages, so some accounts see it later than others.
The standalone version installs, launches and plays without Ace Combat 8 on the PC. The old version, played through Ace Combat 8, stays available too.
Can you still get Ace Combat Zero on Steam?
Bandai Namco doesn’t sell Ace Combat Zero, and players who don’t already own the pre-order bonus can’t obtain it through the standalone release. The bonus came with Ace Combat 8 pre-orders, alongside the playable F-14A Tomcat.
| Item | Price on Steam |
|---|---|
| Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve | $69.99 |
| Ace Combat 8 Deluxe Edition | $89.99 |
| Playable Aircraft: F-14A (DLC) | $4.99 |
| Ace Combat Zero, standalone | Not sold |
Why was Ace Combat Zero tied to Ace Combat 8?
Licensing restrictions and platform considerations blocked a standalone Steam app at launch, Bandai Namco said on Sept. 30, so Ace Combat Zero opened only through Ace Combat 8. The publisher apologized for not explaining this in advance. Then the timeline moved fast:
- Oct. 2After talks with platform partners, Bandai Namco started evaluating a standalone Steam app.
- Oct. 13It confirmed the standalone version, with final quality and compatibility testing under way.
- Oct. 22The standalone app went live for eligible players at 8 p.m. ET, Oct. 23 in Japan.
Do saves and achievements carry over?
Yes. On the same PC, your mission progress, owned aircraft, medals and assault records carry over automatically when you launch the standalone version, whatever your Steam Cloud setting.
To move progress to another PC, turn on Steam Cloud before you launch the standalone version. With Steam Cloud off, saves don’t sync between PCs.
The standalone version supports Steam achievements. If an old save already meets the requirements for some achievements, they unlock after you complete any mission.
How to skip the Ace Combat Zero dialog in Ace Combat 8
Ace Combat 8 can keep asking which game to launch. Two fixes:
- When the dialog appears, pick “Play ACE COMBAT 8”, check “Always use this option” and press Play.
- In the Steam library, right-click Ace Combat 8, open Properties, then DLC, and uncheck Ace Combat Zero.
Ace Combat 8 update 1.01.002 delay and crash fixes
Update 1.01.002 was set for Oct. 23 in Japan, but Bandai Namco postponed it, along with Ace Combat Online server maintenance, citing a system-related situation affecting several companies in the industry. The publisher hasn’t set a new date. Its patch notes list fixes for missions that stop progressing, including missions 6, 10, 18, 25, 28 and 30, crashes in mission 11 and the aircraft menus, audio, subtitle and rendering problems, and account and controller issues in Ace Combat Online. The patch also adjusts Ladon on ELITE difficulty and above in mission 15.
For crashes linked to memory, a separate Oct. 16 notice suggests raising Windows virtual memory: 16 GB or more with 32 GB of RAM, and 32 GB or more with 16 GB of RAM. Bandai Namco’s testing showed fewer crashes with about 48 GB or more of RAM and virtual memory combined, and the team is working to cut the game’s memory use.
Ace Combat 8 reached 1 million copies sold faster than any other game in the 30-year series, Bandai Namco said on Oct. 9. For another big game of the fall, see our Phantom Blade Zero release date page, and for the rest of the week’s launches, our new games this week page.
This page is updated as soon as Bandai Namco sets a new date for update 1.01.002 or changes how Ace Combat Zero is distributed.
FAQ
Is Ace Combat Zero a standalone game on Steam?
Yes, since Oct. 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET, Oct. 23 in Japan, for players who got Ace Combat Zero as the Ace Combat 8 pre-order bonus. It installs, launches and plays without Ace Combat 8 installed.
Can I buy Ace Combat Zero on Steam?
Bandai Namco doesn’t sell it. Players who don’t already own the pre-order bonus can’t obtain Ace Combat Zero through the standalone release.
Why don't I see Ace Combat Zero in my Steam library?
Bandai Namco adds the standalone version to eligible libraries in stages, so it reaches some accounts later than others.
Do I need Ace Combat 8 installed to play Ace Combat Zero?
The standalone version runs without Ace Combat 8 installed. The old version, played through Ace Combat 8, stays available as well.
Does my Ace Combat Zero save carry over?
Yes. On the same PC, mission progress, aircraft, medals and assault records carry over automatically, whatever your Steam Cloud setting. To move a save to another PC, turn on Steam Cloud before you launch the standalone version.
Does the standalone Ace Combat Zero have Steam achievements?
Yes. If an old save already meets the requirements for some achievements, they unlock as soon as you complete any mission.
How do I skip the Ace Combat Zero launch option in Ace Combat 8?
Pick “Play ACE COMBAT 8”, check “Always use this option” and press Play. Another route: in the Steam library, open the Ace Combat 8 properties, go to DLC and uncheck Ace Combat Zero.
Why was Ace Combat Zero only playable through Ace Combat 8?
Bandai Namco cited licensing restrictions and platform considerations that blocked a standalone Steam app at launch. After talks with platform partners, it announced the standalone plan on Oct. 13.
How much is Ace Combat 8 on Steam?
$69.99 for the standard edition and $89.99 for the Deluxe Edition, which adds a cosmetic set and a Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher.
When is Ace Combat 8 update 1.01.002 coming out?
Bandai Namco postponed update 1.01.002 from Oct. 23 in Japan, along with Ace Combat Online server maintenance, and hasn’t set a new date. Its notes list fixes for missions that stop progressing, including missions 6, 10, 18, 25, 28 and 30, plus crashes, audio and subtitle problems and online account issues.
Pop quiz
1 questions from this story.
Since when is Ace Combat Zero a standalone app on Steam in the US?
Bandai Namco released the standalone version on Oct. 22, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET, Oct. 23 in Japan, for Ace Combat 8 pre-order owners.
Your call
Did you get Ace Combat Zero with Ace Combat 8?
