Bandai Namco's widely acclaimed aerial combat title, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, has achieved a significant sales milestone, with global unit sales now exceeding 7 million copies. This impressive accomplishment, occurring seven years after its initial release, highlights the game's enduring popularity and critical success. A substantial boost to these figures came from its strategic launch on the Nintendo Switch in 2024, which propelled an additional million units sold within the past year alone. This success has cemented Ace Combat 7's position as a powerhouse within its franchise, now contributing a full third to the entire series' cumulative 21 million units sold. As development on a sequel for other major consoles progresses, the strong performance on Switch fuels anticipation for its potential arrival on Nintendo's next-generation hardware.
Ace Combat 7's Remarkable Flight: A Journey to 7 Million Sales
In a testament to its compelling gameplay and widespread appeal, Bandai Namco officially declared that their celebrated aerial combat simulator, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, has successfully surpassed the 7 million copies sold mark. This significant achievement unfolded approximately seven years after the game's initial debut in January 2019. A pivotal moment in its sales trajectory was the game's release on the Nintendo Switch in 2024, which demonstrably revitalized its commercial performance. Prior to this, in January of the preceding year, the game had already reached 6 million units sold, indicating a robust additional million units were moved within the subsequent twelve months. This strong showing on the hybrid console underscores its broad accessibility and quality. The game's triumph has also significantly elevated the overall standing of the Ace Combat franchise, which now boasts an astonishing cumulative total of 21 million units sold across all its titles. Notably, Ace Combat 7 now accounts for a remarkable one-third of these cumulative sales, solidifying its status as a flagship entry. Looking ahead, a successor, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, is currently in active development for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. While there is no definitive confirmation regarding its availability on Nintendo hardware at present, the exceptional reception and strong sales of Ace Combat 7 on the Switch suggest a strong possibility for the upcoming eighth main installment to eventually find its way to the Switch 2, given its proven capability to deliver a premium experience on portable systems.
The continued success of Ace Combat 7, particularly its strong performance on the Nintendo Switch, offers valuable insights into the expanding market for high-quality, immersive gaming experiences across diverse platforms. It underscores that excellent game design, coupled with strategic platform expansion, can significantly extend a title's lifespan and reach a broader audience. Furthermore, the anticipation surrounding a potential Switch 2 release for the sequel highlights the growing importance of portable gaming and the desire for console-quality experiences on the go. This trend encourages developers to consider multi-platform strategies from early development stages to maximize engagement and commercial success.
