ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR
Arcade flight game from the 2006 Ace Combat series, with a mission-based campaign and the reactive Ace Style system.
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- Developer
- Project Aces
- Publisher
- Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
- Genre
- Action, Arcade, Shooter
- Game modes
- 2 Spieler Lokal, Singleplayer
- Game series
- Ace Combat
- Also known as
- Ace Combat: The Belkan War
On this page 9 sections
What is ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR?
ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR is an arcade flight action game in the Ace Combat series. The story begins on Mar 25, 1995: Belka attacks the Republic of Ustio, and Ustio reinforces its 6th Air Division with foreign mercenaries. You take on the role of pilot Cipher in the Galm Team and fly alongside “Solo Wing Pixy”.
Bandai Namco describes the part released in 2006 as the origin story of the Ace Combat universe and especially highlights the Ace Style system, which responds to how you play through the missions.
Updated 28.09.2026
Sources
- ACES WEB – Produktchronik: ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR acecombat.jp
- Bandai Namco – ACE COMBAT 8 release date and preorder bonuses bandainamcoent.com
Release
ACE COMBAT ZERO was released in Japan for PlayStation 2 on Mar 23, 2006. The digital re-release has been available as a pre-order bonus for ACE COMBAT 8 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S since Oct 2, 2026.
Since Oct 23, 2026, eligible owners can also launch the Steam version as a standalone app. An additional purchase is not possible.
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PlayStation 2
Original release in Japan
Source
- ACES WEB – ACE COMBAT ZERO Produktchronik acecombat.jp
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PC (Steam)
Digital re-release as an ACE COMBAT 8 pre-order bonus
Source
- Bandai Namco – Vorbestellerbonus bandainamcoent.com
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PlayStation 5
Digital re-release as an ACE COMBAT 8 pre-order bonus
Source
- PlayStation – PS5-Vorbestellerbonus playstation.com
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Xbox Series X|S
Digital re-release as an ACE COMBAT 8 pre-order bonus
Source
- Xbox Wire – Xbox-Series-X|S-Bonus news.xbox.com
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PC
Available as a standalone Steam app since Oct 23, 2026.
Source
- Bandai Namco – Steam-App veröffentlicht store.steampowered.com
Updated 23.10.2026
Sources
- Offizielle Ace-Combat-Chronik acecombat.jp
- Bandai Namco – Steam-App veröffentlicht store.steampowered.com
Platforms
ACE COMBAT ZERO originally came out for PlayStation 2. The re-release has been available as a pre-order bonus for ACE COMBAT 8 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S since Oct 2, 2026.
On Steam, since Oct 23, 2026, the game can also be installed and launched independently of ACE COMBAT 8. Only players who already own the bonus receive this app. It is not sold separately.
Updated 23.10.2026
Sources
- Bandai Namco – eigenständige PC-Anwendung store.steampowered.com
- Bandai Namco – Plattformen bandainamcoent.com
Gameplay
ACE COMBAT ZERO is a mission-based arcade flight game set in the fictional world of Strangereal. It focuses on fast flight maneuvers, target locking and the dramatically staged campaign around Cipher and other flying aces.
A notable feature is the Ace Style Gauge. It responds to how you play through the missions and changes how the story positions Cipher as a pilot.
Updated 28.09.2026
Sources
- Bandai Namco – Ace Style Gauge und Rolle des Klassikers bandainamcoent.com
- ACES WEB – Handlung von ACE COMBAT ZERO acecombat.jp
Ace Style system
The Ace Style system is the defining feature of ACE COMBAT ZERO. Bandai Namco describes it as a dynamic mechanic that responds to decisions and how you play through the missions. As a result, parts of the presentation and encounters with rival aces change.
Updated 28.09.2026
Sources
- Bandai Namco – Ace Style Gauge bandainamcoent.com
Belkan War and Galm Team
The story takes place in 1995, years before ACE COMBAT 5. After Belka's attack on Ustio, Cipher flies as a foreign mercenary in the 66th Air Force Unit Galm Team. His wingman goes by the callsign “Solo Wing Pixy”. The conflict is a central historical reference point in the Strangereal world.
Updated 28.09.2026
Sources
Install the Steam version without ACE COMBAT 8
Since Oct 23, 2026, ACE COMBAT ZERO is also available on Steam as a standalone app. Owners of the pre-order bonus can install and launch the title independently of ACE COMBAT 8. New buyers do not gain access through this change.
The PC version supports Steam Cloud and achievements. Existing local save games can be used on the same computer.
Updated 23.10.2026
Sources
- ACE COMBAT Team – Steam-App verfügbar store.steampowered.com
Similar games
Game series
ACE COMBAT ZERO came out in 2006, after ACE COMBAT 5: THE UNSUNG WAR, and chronologically tells an earlier conflict. The official series chronology lists the title as a standalone PlayStation 2 entry; Bandai Namco looks back on it as one of the series' defining releases.
More from Ace Combat
Updated 28.09.2026
Sources
- ACES WEB – offizielle Serienchronik acecombat.jp
- Bandai Namco – Rückblick auf den 2006er Teil bandainamcoent.com
