Updated October 5, 2026
If you pre-ordered Ace Combat 8: Skies Unknown, you may expect Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War to appear as a separate game in your Steam Library. It doesn't.
That can make it look like the bonus game is missing, but the current Steam version of Ace Combat Zero is distributed through the Ace Combat 8 installation rather than as a separate Steam library entry.
Here's how to launch it and what to check if the option doesn't appear.
Quick Answer
If Ace Combat Zero isn't showing as a separate Steam game:
- Open Steam.
- Go to your Library.
- Select Ace Combat 8: Skies Unknown.
- Click Play.
- When Steam gives you the launch choices, select Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
You do not need to find a separate Ace Combat Zero game in your Steam Library.
If Steam automatically launches Ace Combat 8 instead, check the game's launch preference in Steam → Properties → General and set it to ask which version you want to start.
📋 Table of Contents
- Why Ace Combat Zero Isn't in Your Steam Library
- How to Launch Ace Combat Zero Through Steam
- What If Steam Launches Ace Combat 8 Automatically?
- How to Check If Ace Combat Zero Is Installed
- Do You Need Ace Combat 8 Installed?
- Why Isn't Ace Combat Zero a Separate Steam Game?
- Can You Add Ace Combat Zero as a Separate Steam Game?
- Does Ace Combat Zero Have Separate Steam Achievements?
- Ace Combat Zero Steam Troubleshooting
- Other Ace Combat 8 PC Problems
- FAQ
- Final Takeaway
Why Ace Combat Zero Isn't in Your Steam Library
The main reason is simple: Ace Combat Zero is currently not distributed as a separate Steam application.
Instead, the Steam version is integrated with Ace Combat 8. When the Zero content is installed, Steam can give you the option to launch either the main game or Ace Combat Zero from the Ace Combat 8 entry.
So if you search your Steam Library for:
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
and don't find a second game, that does not necessarily mean your bonus is missing.
The important distinction is that Ace Combat Zero has its own game content and executable, but it does not currently have its own separate Steam Library identity.
How to Launch Ace Combat Zero Through Steam
The normal way to start the game is through the Ace Combat 8 Steam entry.
Step 1: Open Steam
Launch the Steam client and open your Library.
Step 2: Select Ace Combat 8
Find Ace Combat 8: Skies Unknown in your library.
You don't need to search for a separate Ace Combat Zero entry.
Step 3: Click Play
Press the Play button for Ace Combat 8.
If the Zero content is installed and available to your account, Steam should present a launch choice.
Step 4: Select Ace Combat Zero
Choose:
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Steam will then launch Ace Combat Zero instead of the main Ace Combat 8 game.
This is the key step that can be confusing if you are expecting Zero to appear as its own Steam game.
What If Steam Launches Ace Combat 8 Automatically?
If clicking Play immediately starts Ace Combat 8 without showing the choice between the two games, check Steam's launch preference.
Open:
Steam Library → Ace Combat 8 → Properties → General
Look for the game's launch option and select:
Ask when starting game
Then close the Properties window and try launching Ace Combat 8 again.
You should be given the choice of which installed version you want to start.
This is particularly useful if you previously selected a default launch option and Steam stopped asking you which game to launch.
How to Check If Ace Combat Zero Is Installed
If the Zero launch option doesn't appear, first check whether the content is installed.
Open:
Steam Library → Ace Combat 8 → Properties → DLC
Look for the Ace Combat Zero content associated with the game.
If it isn't installed, enable the relevant content and allow Steam to finish downloading it.
After installation:
- Restart Steam if necessary.
- Return to the Ace Combat 8 entry.
- Click Play.
- Check whether the Ace Combat Zero launch option now appears.
The exact Steam interface can vary slightly between versions of the client, so don't worry if the DLC wording isn't identical to screenshots or older guides.
Do You Need Ace Combat 8 Installed?
Yes.
The current Steam distribution of Ace Combat Zero is tied to the Ace Combat 8 installation.
That means you should not expect to uninstall Ace Combat 8 and keep Zero as a completely independent Steam installation.
However, this does not mean that the main Ace Combat 8 game has to be running at the same time.
Ace Combat Zero has its own executable and can run as its own game once the required content is installed. The important requirement is that the Ace Combat 8 installation remains present.
Why Is the Installation So Large?
This arrangement can also be frustrating because accessing the relatively small Zero bonus requires the large Ace Combat 8 installation.
In other words, you aren't downloading a huge standalone version of Ace Combat Zero. You're keeping the Ace Combat 8 installation because Zero is currently packaged and distributed through it on Steam.
If you're wondering why a classic game that takes far less space can require the full Ace Combat 8 installation, this is the main reason.
Why Isn't Ace Combat Zero a Separate Steam Game?
This is not simply a case of Steam failing to recognize your purchase.
Bandai Namco has explained that releasing Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War as a standalone Steam application is affected by licensing restrictions and platform-related considerations.
The company has also said that it is evaluating options with its platform partners.
For now, that means the PC version uses the Ace Combat 8 Steam installation rather than giving Zero its own separate Steam product entry.
So there are two different things to keep in mind:
- Separate game content: Yes.
- Separate Steam Library application: No, not currently.
That distinction explains most of the confusion surrounding the missing Steam entry.
Can You Add Ace Combat Zero as a Separate Steam Game?
You may be able to create a separate shortcut to the Zero executable or add it to Steam as a non-Steam game.
However, that does not turn it into a genuine standalone Steam application.
You would still be relying on the Ace Combat 8 installation, and adding an executable manually does not create a separate Steam store identity, achievement system, or other platform features associated with an independently released Steam game.
For most players, the built-in launch selection from the Ace Combat 8 Steam entry is the cleaner option.
Does Ace Combat Zero Have Separate Steam Achievements?
The current Steam arrangement does not give Ace Combat Zero its own separate Steam application identity and achievement set in the way a standalone Steam release would.
That's another consequence of the way Zero is currently distributed on PC.
So if you're looking for a second Steam game with its own separate library page, achievements, and platform identity, you won't find one at present.
Ace Combat Zero Steam Troubleshooting
If Ace Combat Zero still isn't appearing when you launch Ace Combat 8, work through these checks.
1. Make Sure You're Using the Correct Steam Account
Confirm that you're signed into the Steam account that owns the Ace Combat 8 edition containing the Zero bonus.
2. Check the DLC Section
Open the Ace Combat 8 properties and check the DLC section.
Make sure the relevant Zero content is installed rather than merely listed as available.
3. Restart Steam
Completely close Steam and start it again.
This can force Steam to refresh the game's installed content and launch configuration.
4. Verify the Game Files
If the content should be installed but the launch option is still missing, use Steam's file verification option for Ace Combat 8.
Open:
Ace Combat 8 → Properties → Installed Files → Verify integrity of game files
Allow Steam to complete the process before trying the launch option again.
5. Set Steam to Ask Which Game to Launch
If Steam keeps starting Ace Combat 8 automatically, return to:
Properties → General
and set the launch behavior to:
Ask when starting game
Then launch Ace Combat 8 again.
6. Restart After Installation
If you have just installed the Zero content, restarting Steam before testing the launch option is worthwhile.
Other Ace Combat 8 PC Problems
If you're troubleshooting Ace Combat 8 on PC rather than just trying to launch Zero, these guides may also help:
- Ace Combat 8 B580 Crash Fix: If you're using an Intel Arc B580 and experiencing UE Live Error 01 crashes, especially during combat, see our Ace Combat 8 B580 crash fix guide.
- Mouse Controls Too Slow: If the aircraft feels difficult to control with a mouse and keyboard, see our Ace Combat 8 mouse controls and keybinds guide.
- Missiles Keep Missing: If you're getting lock-ons but your missiles still fail to connect, our Ace Combat 8 missile guide explains why a lock doesn't guarantee a hit.
- Special Weapon Ammo: If you're confused about why some aircraft have different special-weapon ammunition limits, see our Ace Combat 8 special weapon ammo guide.
FAQ
Why can't I find Ace Combat Zero in my Steam Library?
Because the current PC version is distributed through the Ace Combat 8 Steam installation rather than as a separate Steam application.
How do I start Ace Combat Zero on Steam?
Open Ace Combat 8 in your Steam Library, click Play, and select Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War when Steam displays the launch choices.
Do I need Ace Combat 8 installed to play Ace Combat Zero?
Yes. The current Steam version requires the Ace Combat 8 installation, although Zero runs as its own game executable.
Why does Steam keep launching Ace Combat 8?
Your Steam launch preference may be set to start Ace Combat 8 automatically. Open Ace Combat 8 → Properties → General and set the launch option to Ask when starting game.
Is Ace Combat Zero a separate Steam game?
No. It has separate game content and an executable, but it is currently distributed through the Ace Combat 8 Steam application rather than appearing as its own Steam Library entry.
Can I launch Ace Combat Zero without running the Ace Combat 8 campaign?
Yes. Zero runs separately once installed. The important requirement is that the Ace Combat 8 installation remains available on your PC.
Why is the Ace Combat 8 installation required for Zero?
The current Steam distribution packages the Zero content with the Ace Combat 8 installation instead of providing Zero as an independent Steam application.
Final Takeaway
If Ace Combat Zero isn't showing in Steam, don't assume that you lost the pre-order bonus.
The current Steam version does not appear as a separate game in your Library. Instead, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is accessed through the Ace Combat 8 Steam installation.
Open Ace Combat 8, click Play, and select Ace Combat Zero from the launch options. If Steam skips the selection screen, change the launch preference to Ask when starting game in the game's Properties.
The biggest limitation is that you currently need the Ace Combat 8 installation to access Zero on Steam, even though Zero itself has its own executable and plays separately from the main campaign.
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