Who’s all hyped up for the new Ace Combat video game? If you are, you probably want to get your rig ready for some intense virtual dogfighting. Not just any rig, though. You will want an officially licensed flight stick for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. The HORI Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Flight Stick is one such controller for this soon-to-launch game.
Designed for use with PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC, at the heart of the stick are magnetic, contactless Hall effect sensors, promising smooth, accurate input without physical sensor contacts wearing down over time. That precision should come in handy whether you are flying in formation or desperately trying to prevent an enemy missile from rearranging your aircraft.
Unlike a conventional flight controller with a separate throttle unit, HORI places independent throttle and brake levers on both sides of the stick. The symmetrical arrangement makes the controller ambidextrous while allowing rapid, gamepad-like speed changes during combat. Twisting the stick provides another control axis without requiring rudder pedals. So, you’d avoid having an actual cockpit in your home.
More importantly, there is a dedicated High-G button. Hold it and pull back on the stick to initiate the series’ signature High-G Turn, letting your aircraft change direction aggressively while sacrificing speed. Whether that saves you from the missile depends on when you pressed it. It should be easier to do than on the real thing, though, since you will not be subjecting yourself to actual brain-crushing, oxygen-depriving Gs.
Eight assignable function buttons are provided, with support for mapping up to two functions to each one. The customizable LED lighting is managed through HORI’s dedicated Windows 11 app.
The stick also supports an intriguing twin-stick mode. Connect two units using the modular cable, and they function as one integrated controller for compatible simulator titles. Unfortunately, the package contains only one stick, so achieving maximum cockpit energy requires buying another.
Officially licensed by Bandai Namco Entertainment and Sony, the HORI Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Flight Stick costs US$129.99 and is expected to arrive on October 2, 2026. That gives you just enough time to clear some desk space—and perhaps budget for stick number two. If anyone’s interested, it is available to order from Amazon.com.
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Images: HORI [JP].
