The ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus was offered to eligible ACE COMBAT 8 buyers before the game’s 2 October 2026 release. It includes ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR, the earlier game about the Belkan War, alongside a separate F-14A aircraft bonus for ACE COMBAT 8. Both Standard and Deluxe preorders were advertised with those two rewards.
There is a catch for Steam customers trying to find ZERO after launch: Bandai Namco confirmed that the PC bonus was distributed through ACE COMBAT 8 itself, not as an independent Steam application. The publisher said on 2 October that it was exploring a change, but a standalone Steam version remains unconfirmed in that announcement. Here’s how to check your eligibility and avoid looking in the wrong place.
Who gets the ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus?
The offer applied to eligible preorders of ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, rather than only to the Deluxe Edition. Bandai Namco’s edition information lists ZERO and the F-14A for Standard as well as Deluxe. Deluxe provided other extras, including a Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher, customisation items and a three-day early-access period.
The ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus promotion ended when the full game launched. If you bought ACE COMBAT 8 after 2 October, don’t assume the preorder items were automatically included. Check your dated receipt and the exact offer on the store or retailer page at the time of purchase. Retail and regional bundles can have different redemption terms, particularly for boxed copies.
How to find the ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus on Steam
To find your ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus, start with the Steam account that placed the order. Confirm that the purchase history shows an eligible preorder of ACE COMBAT 8 and that the main game is installed. Bandai Namco’s 30 September statement says ZERO was made accessible through ACE COMBAT 8 because the older title could not be released as an independent Steam application at launch.
For the ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus, check the ACE COMBAT 8 game’s available bonus content and downloadable-content information instead of searching only for a separate ZERO installation. The publisher’s notice does not specify one reliable menu sequence for every account and setup. If the bonus is not accessible, move straight to an entitlement check rather than repeatedly reinstalling unrelated files.
Is a standalone Steam version coming?
Bandai Namco’s second ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus announcement, dated 2 October, said the company was investigating whether ACE COMBAT ZERO could be offered as a standalone Steam application. It was still reviewing how this might be implemented and when it could happen. No guaranteed result or date was given, so descriptions that say the Steam preorder already includes a separate executable are misleading.
This does not make ZERO a chapter of the new campaign. It remains the classic Ace Combat game offered as a preorder reward. The disagreement concerns the Steam launch and licensing arrangement, not the identity of the bonus title or its inclusion in the promotion.
PlayStation and Xbox: check the entitlement tied to your order
The Steam explanation of the ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus is specific to PC. For PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, begin in the game library or add-on management for the account that bought the game. Look for the preorder bonus or an associated entitlement, and review any redemption instructions supplied with the purchase. Do not assume the Steam delivery problem proves that consoles have the same arrangement.
For a boxed or retailer-specific purchase, check the invoice, packaging and any included code before contacting support. Bandai Namco’s launch announcement specifically highlighted digital preorders; physical copies should be judged by their own advertised inclusions, not by a different store’s offer.
What to do when your ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus is unavailable
For a missing ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus, gather the platform, order date, edition, region and the receipt showing the promotion. Confirm you are logged in with the same account that made the purchase. If you redeemed a code, check whether the platform shows it as used and whether it was entered for the correct account and territory. These checks help support staff distinguish a missing license from a delivery issue.
On Steam, explain that the bonus was meant to be accessed through ACE COMBAT 8, citing Bandai Namco’s announcement if necessary. On consoles, use the relevant platform support channel or Bandai Namco support with your purchase evidence. The ACE COMBAT 8 ZERO Steam bonus guide covers the publisher’s ongoing standalone-app discussion in more detail.
Can you get the F-14A without Deluxe?
The ACE COMBAT ZERO preorder bonus was one of two rewards; the F-14A was the other advertised preorder reward for eligible Standard and Deluxe orders. It is a playable aircraft in ACE COMBAT 8, whereas ZERO is the separate classic game provided as a bonus. A missing F-14A and difficulty opening ZERO may therefore need different troubleshooting, even when they came from the same order.
Related Guides
Official source: Bandai Namco’s ACE COMBAT 8 Steam announcements (30 September and 2 October 2026).
