Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition is now part of the Master Chief Collection on PC

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition
(Image credit: Microsoft)

We learned just yesterday that Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition could be coming soon to the PC version of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. But we didn't expect 'soon' would mean 'a day later.' Yet, in a surprise launch, the remaster of the original Halo is now available on Steam, the Microsoft Store, and Xbox Game Pass.

Xbox Game Pass subscribers and owners of Halo: The Master Chief Collection now have access to the game. You can also buy it as a standalone title for $10, the same price as Halo: Reach, which was the first remastered game in the Collection to become available in December 2019.

The PC edition of the Halo: The Master Chief Collection had consisted solely of Reach since then, and players have been eagerly awaiting the remaining games, which will be added piecemeal. Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo 4 are still to come for the collection.

Old Master Chief, modern conveniences

Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition is the first time since 2003 that the Master Chief's inaugural adventure has come to PC gaming. This release brings the original Halo campaign up to speed with performance expected of modern desktop gaming. 

It supports high frame rates (60+) as well as variable frame rates. If your computer can handle it, it will also run at  4K Ultra HD resolution and ultra-wide aspect ratios. It's topped off with updated textures and shadows.

The game also has native keyboard and mouse support and a customizable field-of-view. These will help PC players feel right at home with their controls as they dive into the original campaign or hop online to compete with other players in the many classic PvP maps.

You can see the game on Steam here and on the Microsoft Store here.

Now it's time to wait for Halo 2: Anniversary to hit the collection.

Mark Knapp

Over the last several years, Mark has been tasked as a writer, an editor, and a manager, interacting with published content from all angles. He is intimately familiar with the editorial process from the inception of an article idea, through the iterative process, past publishing, and down the road into performance analysis.

Latest in PC Gaming
Playing games on the Razer Handheld Dock Chroma without an external display.
The Razer Handheld Dock Chroma offers Steam Deck owners a premium design and, of course, plenty of RGB
Image of GTA 6 protagonists and PS5
GTA 6's console-only launch reminds me of how much I despise console exclusivity - is it worth waiting years for PC ports?
Image of Grand Theft Auto 6 promotional art and Corsair's PC cases
GTA 6 could reach PCs in early 2026 according to Corsair – but I'm already sick of waiting
An angry PC Gamer sat at their desk looking unhappy
Can’t buy an Nvidia RTX 5080 or 5090 GPU due to stock shortages? If you were hoping GeForce Now might provide a good alternative, we’ve got some bad news
Steam Deck controls close up
Steam Deck fans, you're in for a good one - AMD's FSR 3 frame generation is now available on Valve's handheld thanks to a new Decky plugin
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Have RTX 5090 and 5080 stock rumors spooked PC gamers? Nvidia GeForce Now is facing high demand, with many plans now unavailable
Latest in News
Q Acoustics Q SUB80, QSUB100 and QSUB120 subwoofers
Q Acoustics wants to bring the bass to your post-Oscars movie catch-up
Hospital
Major Oracle outage hits US Federal health record systems
Samsung Galaxy A56 display
Samsung’s new budget handsets are getting One UI 7 before the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and I’m as confused as you are
iPad Pro 13-inch 2024 on a table
The OLED iPad Pro is reportedly less popular than expected – and that could mean these changes to Apple's OLED iPad plans
Sam Porter cradles a baby
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach trailer confirms June release date and an even more harrowing post-apocalyptic world
The Ray-Ban Meta Coperni smart glasses
The new Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses design is an expensive disappointment