Master Chief’s first mission returns as a full rebuild, and pre-orders for Halo: Campaign Evolved split into three tiers that differ by cosmetics, early access, and a box of physical collectibles. The complete campaign is the same across every version, so the real decision comes down to how much extra content you want and whether you care about playing early.
Quick answer: Pre-order any edition before July 28, 2026 at 7:59 AM PDT to unlock the Foundry Armory Pack. The Premium ($69.99) and Collector’s ($199.99) editions also add the Alpha Halo Armory Pack, digital extras, and up to five days of early access. The Standard Edition is $49.99, and Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscribers get the base game on day one.
Foundry Armory Pack: The pre-order bonus on every edition
Reserve any version of the game and the Foundry Armory Pack drops into your inventory. It is a set of campaign cosmetics built around Master Chief’s Mark V armor and his signature Assault Rifle, mixing a retro look with a couple of flashier styles. The pack works in both solo and co-op play.
- Classic 2001 Armor Skin
- Classic 2001 Assault Rifle Skin
- Gilded Onyx Armor Style
- Milestone Assault Rifle Weapon Style
The Classic 2001 items recreate the Chief’s original Combat Evolved appearance, while the Gilded Onyx and Milestone styles lean on gold accents and designs inspired by Forerunners and starry nights. To qualify, the pre-order has to be placed before July 28, 2026 at 7:59 AM PDT.
All editions and prices
Every tier includes the full campaign plus Operation: METEORITE, a new three-mission arc starring Master Chief and Sgt. Major Johnson. Each higher edition carries everything from the ones below it. The table lays out what separates them.
| Content | Standard $49.99 | Premium $69.99 | Collector’s $199.99 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base game + Operation: METEORITE | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Foundry Armory Pack (pre-order) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Up to 5 days early access | No | Yes | Yes |
| Alpha Halo Armory Pack | No | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Story & Art Collection | No | Yes | Yes |
| Physical collectibles + disc | No | No | Yes |
| Format | Physical and digital | Digital only | Physical only |
The Standard Edition ships on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam, and PC through the Microsoft Store or Xbox App. The Premium Edition is digital only. There is also a separate $20 Premium Edition Upgrade for players who already own the Standard Edition or play through Game Pass and want the extra content and early access.
Alpha Halo Armory Pack (Premium and Collector’s)
Stepping up to Premium or the Collector’s Edition adds the Alpha Halo Armory Pack, a bundle of five armor skins for Master Chief and six weapon skins. You equip them from the Customization menu and can use them in solo or co-op runs.
| Armor skins | Weapon skins |
|---|---|
| Splintered Warden Armor | Subanese Fang Energy Sword |
| Lochagos Armor | Laconian Lance Battle Rifle |
| Mobile Armor Type 117 | Proto Type SPNKr |
| Timberwolf Armor | Savage Tooth Sniper |
| Gestalt Armor | Colossus Fuel Rod Cannon |
| — | Cold Iron Magnum (Captain Keyes’ sidearm) |
Digital Story & Art Collection
Premium and Collector’s buyers also receive a set of digital extras alongside the cosmetics.
- Art of Halo: Campaign Evolved digital artbook — concepts, character designs, and environments showing how the team rebuilt the original.
- Halo: Hungry Buzzards digital short story — written by Troy Denning as a companion piece to Operation: METEORITE.
- Digital game manual — a modern homage to the 2001 Combat Evolved booklet with updated controls and lore.
Collector’s Edition contents
The Collector’s Edition wraps everything in the Premium Edition together with a box of physical memorabilia. Note that it is sold out, and there are no plans for a restock.
- 12-inch Master Chief statue by Dark Horse
- LED replica of Cortana’s data chip with charging cord
- Collectible SteelBook case
- Three 11×17-inch concept art prints
- Physical manual modeled on the original Combat Evolved booklet
- Physical game disc on Xbox Series X and PS5, plus a Premium Edition Upgrade voucher
The Steam Collector’s Edition swaps the disc for a single voucher code that covers the base game and Premium content. It shipped to a defined list of regions across North and South America, Europe, and Oceania, with packaging localized by territory.
Early access and launch timing
Halo: Campaign Evolved launches globally on July 28, 2026 at 8 AM PDT, with July 29 timing in Japan and select Asia-Pacific markets. Early access opened July 23 at 8 AM PDT for Premium and Collector’s Edition owners, giving them up to five days ahead of the wider release. The Standard Edition does not include early access, so Premium is the cheapest route to a head start.
Game Pass, the $20 upgrade, and Xbox Play Anywhere
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass include the base game as a day-one release on July 28, so subscribers do not need to buy the Standard Edition to play at launch. Anyone who wants the cosmetics, digital extras, and early access can add the Premium Edition Upgrade for $20, with regional pricing applied.
Game Pass Essential and Premium tiers do not include the base game, so those subscriptions cannot use the Premium Edition Upgrade. On PlayStation there is no separate upgrade purchase. Standard Edition owners instead see a discounted Premium Edition equal to the price difference, which includes the early access period.
Digital versions support Xbox Play Anywhere, carrying your progression, saves, and customization between Windows PCs and Xbox Series X|S on the same Microsoft account. Physical copies, including the Collector’s Edition, do not grant Play Anywhere and stay tied to the platform they were bought for.
How to claim your pre-order cosmetics
You know it worked when the skins are selectable in the Customization menu and can be equipped for use in the campaign. For most players the Standard Edition covers the full campaign and the new missions at the lowest price. Premium is the pick for the head start and the extra skins, and the Collector’s Edition was aimed at fans who wanted the statue, SteelBook, and the rest of the physical kit.
