Bandai Namco and developer Project Aces have confirmed that Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown has sold 7.5 million copies worldwide since launch - a new milestone disclosed via a PlayStation Access video as the studio gears up for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.
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A sales climb seven years in the making
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown launched for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on January 18, 2019, with the PC version following on February 1. From that point the game built its audience steadily. By July 2020 it had crossed 2 million units - a milestone the franchise had not seen since Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies in 2002. By January 2021 it had reached 2.5 million, surpassing Ace Combat 04 to become the franchise's best-selling title at that time.
The game then hit 4 million in late 2022, 5 million by the end of 2023, and 6 million in early 2025. A Nintendo Switch port released on July 11, 2024, making it the first mainline Ace Combat game on a Nintendo home console - a move that contributed to renewed sales momentum in that period. The most recent update now places the lifetime total at 7.5 million.
More detailed sales charts, surfaced by fan account Ace Combat Fan, map this trajectory closely. Trends from those charts suggest the title could reach 8 million before the end of 2026.
Franchise context
With the entire Ace Combat series sitting at 21.5 million total units sold, Skies Unknown accounts for a third of all franchise copies ever shipped. The source article notes the game represents 34.9% of total franchise sales. By comparison, the original PlayStation-era trilogy sold 4.48 million copies combined, and the PS2-era trilogy sold 5.232 million - figures that underline how dramatically Ace Combat 7 has outpaced its predecessors.
| Era | Titles | Copies Sold |
|---|---|---|
| PS1 trilogy | AC1, AC2, AC3 | 4.48M |
| PS2 trilogy | AC04, AC5, Zero | 5.23M |
| AC7: Skies Unknown | Single title | 7.5M |
| Full franchise | All titles | 21.5M |
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve arriving October 2
The sales news arrives as attention turns to the sequel. During a State of Play, Bandai Namco announced that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will release on PlayStation 5 on October 2, 2026. The game will also launch on Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam on the same date. Digital Deluxe Edition owners will be able to access the game early, with early access beginning on September 29.
Players enter the cockpit under the callsign "Wings of Theve," taking on the role of a legendary ace whose identity is tied to Theve, the capital of the Federation of Central Usea, becoming a symbol of hope for the nation's citizens. The FCU has been suddenly invaded by the Republic of Sotoa in a swift assault that captures the capital, leaving what remains of the military shattered.
All pre-orders include a digital copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, available at launch on October 2, 2026. Pre-orders also include the F-14A aircraft for use in-game.
A strong foundation for the sequel
Ace Combat 7 reaching 7.5 million without the benefit of a current-gen native remaster - it runs via backwards compatibility on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S - says a lot about the staying power of the franchise's arcade flight formula. With Ace Combat 8 coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC natively, and the goodwill built by seven years of AC7 word-of-mouth, Bandai Namco is launching the sequel from the strongest commercial position the series has ever held.
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is available now - pick it up for as low as AU$3.09 through the price comparison below before Ace Combat 8 lands in October.
