Ace Combat 8 to become a "mature" flight simulator - the game received a record age rating for the series

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve appeared in the database of the European rating agency PEGI, which immediately attracted the attention of series fans. The page indicated the project's age rating, as well as a preliminary release date – May 30, 2026, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Since that day has already passed and the game has not yet gone on sale, the date looks like a technical error or a placeholder. Nevertheless, the project's appearance in the censors' database indicates that Bandai Namco is preparing to reveal the release dates, as official certification of major projects usually takes place approximately three to four months before release.

Thus, a new showing and announcement of the release date can be expected at upcoming presentations – State of Play on the night of June 2-3 or Summer Game Fest on June 5.

The age rating itself – PEGI 16 – is of particular interest. For the main Ace Combat line, this is a historical precedent: all previous installments of the franchise received a milder PEGI 12 rating.

The increase in the bar is associated with scenes of violence and the presence of microtransactions. However, in-game purchases were also present in previous games, including the "Top Gun: Maverick" movie pack for Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, and did not prevent them from receiving a 12+ rating. Therefore, the new age rating is likely due to a darker and harsher storyline.