Microsoft has locked in the launch window for Halo: Campaign Evolved, and the wait is almost over. The remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved hits Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC on July 28, with early access kicking off five days earlier on July 23 for players who pick up the Premium or Collector's Edition. This is also the franchise's first appearance on a PlayStation platform in more than two decades, which makes it a bigger moment than a typical remake release.
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When the game unlocks around the world
Microsoft confirmed a global simultaneous launch, meaning every region gets access at the same moment rather than staggered by territory. Here's the full breakdown:
Early access (July 23)
Global launch (July 28)
What early access actually costs
Five days of early access requires either the $70 Premium Edition or the $200 Collector's Edition. The standard edition gets you in on July 28 with everyone else.
The Collector's Edition is currently sold out, so if you missed that window, the Premium Edition is your only path to the July 23 unlock. No preload dates or file sizes have been confirmed yet, so you'll want to keep an eye on official Xbox channels closer to launch.
More than a visual upgrade
Halo: Campaign Evolved is a full remake of the 2001 Halo: Combat Evolved, timed to the franchise's 25th anniversary. Beyond the updated visuals and modernized features you'd expect from a remake, the game includes Operation: Meteorite, a set of three original prequel missions built specifically for this release. That's not just a coat of paint on a classic shooter game, it's new story content that gives long-time fans a reason to care beyond nostalgia.
The PlayStation 5 release is the headline that keeps coming up in community discussions, and for good reason. Halo spent over 20 years as an Xbox-exclusive franchise. Bringing it to PS5 in 2026, starting with a remake of the game that defined the original Xbox, is a deliberate statement about where Microsoft sees its publishing strategy heading.
The broader picture for Xbox fans
This launch sits alongside other major Microsoft releases this year. Gears of War: Reloaded is another high-profile Xbox franchise getting the remake treatment, pointing to a clear pattern of Microsoft revisiting its legacy catalog for a new generation of players across multiple platforms.
For players planning around both releases, the Gears of War: Reloaded guides are already building out ahead of that game's launch, which is worth bookmarking if you're jumping between the two.
