For the first time in its 25-year history, the Halo franchise is coming to PlayStation. Microsoft has confirmed that a rebuilt and modernised version of the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign will launch on PlayStation 5 in 2026.
The announcement marks a watershed moment for one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Long considered Xbox’s flagship exclusive, Halo’s arrival on PlayStation represents a major shift in Microsoft’s strategy — and a historic crossover between two long-time console rivals.
The new title, Halo: Campaign Evolved, has been described as a complete reimagining of the 2001 classic that introduced players to the Master Chief, Cortana, and the intergalactic war against the Covenant.
A return to where it all began
Developers say Halo: Campaign Evolved has been rebuilt “from the ground up” using modern graphics technology while retaining the core spirit of the original game. The entire campaign has been enhanced with new high-definition visuals, cinematic cutscenes, smoother controls, and reworked sound design.
The soundtrack has also been fully remastered to bring back the series’ famous orchestral score with greater depth and atmosphere.
Players can expect new gameplay features too, including nine additional weapons drawn from across the Halo series, alongside three brand-new prequel missions that explore events leading up to the original story. These missions feature the Master Chief and fan-favourite Marine, Sgt. Johnson, and introduce new environments and characters.
Vehicle combat — always a hallmark of Halo — has been expanded, allowing players to hijack enemy rides and even take control of the Covenant’s Wraith tank for the first time in the Combat Evolved timeline.
The campaign also introduces the largest collection of “Skulls” modifiers yet, offering players creative and often chaotic ways to replay missions, from tougher enemy settings to humorous effects like the series’ signature “confetti headshots.”
Multiplayer and crossplay support
For many fans, Halo has always been about shared experiences — and the 2026 release will honour that tradition.
The game supports two-player split-screen co-op and four-player online co-op, complete with crossplay and cross-progression across PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. That means friends can play together regardless of platform, a first for the Halo franchise.
Developers described the project as “bringing Halo to more players than ever before,” expanding its legendary co-op experience to a new community of gamers.
A new era for Halo and gaming
While Halo’s debut on PlayStation would once have been unthinkable, Microsoft’s gaming division has increasingly embraced multi-platform releases, prioritising reach and community over exclusivity.
After nearly two decades working on the series, developers said this was a milestone moment:
“Halo has always been about bringing people together. Now, for the first time, PlayStation players will be part of that journey too.”
Halo: Campaign Evolved is slated for release in 2026, with pre-orders and wishlists now live for PlayStation 5. More details, including gameplay footage, are expected in the coming months.
As Master Chief himself once said: “I think we’re just getting started.”
