Ace Combat series 30th anniversary trailer, message from brand director Kazutoki Kono

Bandai Namco has released trailer for the Ace Combat series in celebration of its 30th anniversary. The first entry in the series, known as Air Combat in the west, launched for PlayStation on June 30, 1995 in Japan.

Additionally, Ace Combat series brand director Kazutoki Kono has shared a message on the newly launched Ace Combat series web portal Aces Web:

To all the fans who continue to support the Ace Combat series,

Since the release of the first title in 1995, thanks to your unwavering support, the Ace Combat series has reached a remarkable milestone—its 30th anniversary in 2025.

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to all our fans and everyone involved who has supported the series throughout the years. Thank you, sincerely, from the bottom of my heart. This moment is our chance to return thirty years’ worth of appreciation to you.

I believe that sustaining a legacy over three decades means far more than simply the passage of time. I’ve always shared this message with everyone involved in the series:

“To deliver emotionally resonant, high-quality experiences that exceed expectations, to spark excitement for what comes next—and then to meet that anticipation with even greater ambition. By continuing this cycle, we build a bond of trust with our players, and that bond is the truest expression of our gratitude.”

Over the past thirty years, times have changed. Values have shifted, technologies have evolved. Our company and our team have continually transformed to navigate these tides. In a word, we’ve embraced change.

There were times we may not have fully met your expectations. But I also believe there were moments when we exceeded them—when we soared higher than anyone imagined.

Namco’s founder, Masaya Nakamura, once said, “Only those who can adapt to change will survive.”
I joined Namco in 1994. Back then, I understood those words intellectually—but not yet from experience.

Now, I truly do.

After three incredible decades of adapting to change, we’ve built an enduring bond of trust with all of you. That connection is the very force that has sustained the Ace Combat series and propelled it into the future. I can now feel this truth in every fiber of my being. And I’m proud—proud that our ongoing commitment to delivering value and earning your trust has led us to this 30th anniversary.

And now, we’re ready. Everything is in place. It’s time to take flight once again—toward even greater heights.

June 30, 2025
Kazutoki Kono
Brand director of Ace Combat series

An Ace Combat 30th anniversary concert, “Ace Combat/S The Symphony 30th Anniversary,” was also announced. It will be held at Saitama Kikan on January 31, 2026. In addition to the musical performance, the event will include a special talk session with members of the game’s development team.

As announced in August 2021, development on the next Ace Combat game is currently underway as a joint production between Bandai Namco and ILCA. The two later established Bandai Namco Aces to leverage the know-how of both companies to deliver “deep and lasting, high-quality content.”

Watch the 30th anniversary trailer below.

Ace Combat Series 30th Anniversary Memorial Movie

English

Japanese