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What order should you play the Halo games in?
For a first full campaign playthrough, use release order. It introduces the story and its characters in the order the main campaigns were released, rather than beginning with a prequel. Halo Support’s recommended first campaign is Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Halo: The Master Chief Collection | $79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Halo The Master Chief Collection Xbox One Game | $64.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Microsoft Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Xbox One | $35.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Third Party - Halo : Master Chief Collection Occasion [ Xbox One ] - 0885370863949](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41o0m2P4tFL._SL160_.jpg)
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Third Party - Halo : Master Chief Collection Occasion [ Xbox One ] - 0885370863949 | $64.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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- Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary — Start here.
- Halo 2 Anniversary — Continue with the second campaign in the collection’s release-order list.
- Halo 3 — Play next.
- Halo 3: ODST — A separate campaign, not an expansion campaign within Halo 3.
- Halo: Reach — A prequel, but placed here to preserve release order.
- Halo 4 — The sixth campaign included in The Master Chief Collection.
- Halo 5: Guardians — A separate game outside MCC; its official Xbox listing describes the campaign as continuing the Master Chief saga.
- Halo Infinite — The next separate main campaign entry.
The label “main series” can be used differently across fan guides, and this route is a practical campaign path, not a claim that it includes every Halo story product. Games such as Halo Wars are optional universe entries, not required steps in this beginner campaign order.
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Halo: Campaign Evolved is a remake of the original Combat Evolved campaign, with additional content. Xbox Wire announced a global launch on July 28, 2026, with July 29 release timing in Japan and select Asia-Pacific markets. It is an alternate way to experience the beginning, not a new campaign to play after Infinite.
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- System requirement your device must meet all minimum requirements to open this product OS Xbox One architecture x64
| If you want… | Choose… | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The classic progression through the collection | Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary in MCC | It is the first campaign in Halo Support’s release-order list. |
| A rebuilt version of the original beginning | Halo: Campaign Evolved | It remakes the original campaign and adds content; it is a separate modernized option. |
Xbox Wire announced Campaign Evolved for Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, Steam, and PS5, with cross-play and cross-progression, and day-one availability through Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Announcement details do not establish current subscription catalog status, regional availability, price, or physical stock. Check the live store in your region before buying.
Where can you get the campaigns?
Start with The Master Chief Collection for the first six
Halo: The Master Chief Collection is the straightforward starting bundle for the first six campaigns in the route: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2 Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, Reach, and Halo 4. Halo Support says MCC is available on Xbox and Windows through direct purchase or some Xbox Game Pass memberships. The Xbox Store listing names Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows 10/11. Store listings and subscription catalogs vary over time and by region; check your local storefront for current terms. In MCC, choose the Campaigns menu for the story route rather than Multiplayer or Firefight.
Rank #2
- Region Free Australia
- 100% Compatible With USA Xbox One Console
- 100% Compatible With USA XBOX Live Account
- Work Exactly the Same as LOCAL Copy
- For the first time ever, The Master Chief's entire story is on one console. Featuring a re-mastered Halo 2: Anniversary, along with Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 3, and Halo 4, new digital series, Halo: Nightfall.
Halo 5: Guardians is separate
Halo 5: Guardians is not part of MCC. The reviewed official Xbox listing names Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. It does not establish a native Windows PC campaign version. PC players should check their regional cloud eligibility and the current Xbox Store listing rather than assume the campaign is locally installable on Windows.
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Halo Infinite separates multiplayer and campaign
Halo Infinite multiplayer and Academy are free, and multiplayer does not require an active Game Pass subscription. The campaign is a separate purchase or is available through some Game Pass memberships. On Xbox, use the Store or Game Pass app; on PC, Halo Support documents installation through the Xbox app or Steam. Campaign installation is managed separately. An Xbox Play Anywhere purchase from Xbox or specified Microsoft PC storefronts carries over between those platforms; a Steam campaign purchase stays on Steam. See Halo Support’s Halo Infinite installation guidance for the current installation details.
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- Please NOTE: This game is UK Import Game it may be Arabic and English print on the cover. it is Region Free PAL Game.
- It may say "promotional copy not for resale" on cover but it is legal to sell in worldwide. It was removed from Xbox One Console combo.
How do you start the first campaign?
- Install or open Halo: The Master Chief Collection on Xbox or Windows.
- From the main menu, select Campaigns, then choose Halo: CE Anniversary. Halo Support’s Quick Start Guide recommends Quick Start for newcomers.
- Choose Easy or Normal if you are new to the series. These are Halo Support’s suggested starting difficulties, not a rule; adjust to suit your experience.
- After finishing, return to Campaigns and select the next game in the order above.
Can you play the campaigns in co-op?
MCC campaign co-op supports split-screen on the same Xbox; PC campaign co-op is online and does not offer split-screen. The Halo Support guide says up to four players can share Xbox split-screen, but split-screen groups larger than two can play Multiplayer only, not Campaign. MCC supports online play with friends, but Campaign and Campaign Playlists currently cannot use cross-play. Check the MCC co-op support guide for current platform details before planning a group session.
Halo Infinite multiplayer supports cross-play and cross-progression according to Halo Support, but those multiplayer features do not change the separate access requirements for its campaign.
Which route is best for your setup?
| Your situation | Best next step | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| You want the first six campaigns together | Get The Master Chief Collection. | It includes the first six campaigns listed above, but not Halo 5 or Infinite. |
| You play on Windows PC | Check MCC and Infinite in the Windows or Steam listings. | The reviewed Halo 5 listing names Xbox consoles and cloud gaming, not a native Windows campaign. |
| You only want to try multiplayer | Install Halo Infinite multiplayer. | Its campaign is a separate purchase or covered by some Game Pass memberships. |
| You want local campaign co-op | Use MCC on Xbox for split-screen. | PC campaign co-op is online; MCC campaign cross-play is not supported by the cited guide. |
For live platform and catalog details, use the official listings: MCC on Xbox, Halo 5: Guardians, and Halo Infinite. Availability and subscription terms can change by region and over time.
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