Est. 1998
Playing Out of Control Gaming

Retro reviews, vintage hardware, classic PC builds, and modern ways to keep old games alive.

Home Games Halo Halo
Halo
The Vault · 2003

Halo

The shooter that Microsoft turned into a hostage situation.
DeveloperBungie
PublisherMicrosoft
Players1 Player, 2-16 Players (Multiplayer)
HaloPCShooter
Checkpoint SaveMultiplayerVehicle CombatCo-op CampaignFirst-Person Shooter

Halo is a first-person shooter developed by Bungie and published by Microsoft Game Studios. Originally released for the Xbox in 2001, it was ported to Windows in 2003. The game casts players as Master Chief, a cybernetically enhanced supersoldier, who battles the alien Covenant on a mysterious ring-shaped world called Halo. The single-player campaign weaves together vehicular combat, large outdoor battles, and claustrophobic interior fights against both the Covenant and the parasitic Flood. Multiplayer supports up to 16 players and features a variety of maps and modes, including the iconic Blood Gulch. The PC version includes additional maps and weapons not found in the Xbox original.

Screenshots8 shots
Halo screenshotHalo screenshotHalo screenshotHalo screenshotHalo screenshotHalo screenshotHalo screenshotHalo screenshot
In the News1 mentions
Jul 211999
Halo Announced
Bungie Software has the latest July 1999 move: Halo Announced. Bungie Software says Halo, a game that shatters the confines of typical game environments.
Release
How to Play TodayYour options for running this game in 2026
Original Hardware
Original retail PC CD-ROM copies are widely available on the second-hand market for just a few dollars. Runs on Windows 98/ME/2000/XP with a period-appropriate system.
Game Record
PlatformPC
ReleasedNovember 15, 2001 (Xbox); September 30, 2003 (PC)
DeveloperBungie
PublisherMicrosoft
GenreShooter
Players1 Player, 2-16 Players (Multiplayer)
SeriesHalo
Halo Series
Halo (2003)
Windows PC
Not Reviewed
This
Halo 4 (2012)
Xbox 360
Not Reviewed
Halo: Campaign Evolved (2026)
Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
Not Reviewed
Original PC Specs
OSWindows 98/ME/2000/XP
CPUPentium III 933 MHz or equivalent
RAM128 MB RAM
GPU / Display32 MB DirectX 9.0b compatible video card
Storage1.2 GB free hard drive space
Drive4x CD-ROM drive