Halo Campaign Evolved Hits Steam Top 5: Everything You Need to Know

Halo is back, and PC gamers are going crazy for it. Halo: Campaign Evolved has shot up to No. 5 on Steam's Best Sellers chart, making it one of the hottest games of 2026. But while fans celebrate, scalpers are already selling the limited Collector's Edition on eBay for up to $700, nearly four times its original price.

What Is Halo: Campaign Evolved?

Halo: Campaign Evolved is a full remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved campaign, the legendary first-person shooter that started it all back in 2001. This is not just a remaster with prettier graphics. It is a completely rebuilt experience from the ground up, designed for both old fans and brand new players.

Here is what the game includes:

• All original missions rebuilt with better level design, updated cinematics, and improved wayfinding

• Three brand-new prequel missions featuring Master Chief and Sgt. Johnson before the events of the original game

• 9 extra weapons from across the Halo series, including the Energy Sword, Battle Rifle, and Needle Rifle

• Enemy vehicle hijacking for the first time in Halo: CE, you can steal and drive enemy vehicles, including a fully drivable Wraith

• 4-player online co-op with full crossplay and cross-progression between Xbox and PC

• Campaign Remix mode: replay any mission with skull modifiers for endless replayability

• Fully remastered soundtrack and new voice performances from the original cast

Why is It Trending on Steam Right Now?

The game hit No. 5 on Steam's Top Sellers chart within days of its announcement. It also sits at No. 7 overall, placing it right behind Forza Horizon 6, which continues to hold the No. 1 spot. This makes Halo: Campaign Evolved the second Xbox title currently sitting in Steam's Top Sellers list, a massive win for Microsoft's push onto PC.

This kind of launch performance is not surprising for the Halo franchise. The series has a long history of topping Steam charts. The original Halo: The Master Chief Collection topped Steam when it launched back in 2019, and Halo Infinite shot to No. 1 in 2022. Halo: Campaign Evolved is continuing that strong tradition, proving there is still a massive and passionate PC fanbase for the franchise.

The Collector's Edition: What You Get and Why It Sold Out Instantly

The Halo: Campaign Evolved Collector's Edition included some seriously impressive physical items. Here's what was inside the box:

Item - Details

12-inch Master Chief Statue - Made by Dark Horse, highly detailed

LED Cortana Chip - Light-up replica with rechargeable cord

Collectible SteelBook - Exclusive custom design

3 Concept Art Prints - 11" x 17" original artwork

Physical Game Manual - Recreated from the 2001 original

Game Disc - For Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5

Alpha Halo Armory Pack - 5 armor skins + 6 weapon skins

Digital Art Book + Short Story - "Art of Halo: Campaign Evolved" and "Hungry Buzzards."

The Collector's Edition sold out across all platforms in the United States and the Americas within hours of being announced. It was gone before most fans even had a chance to click "Add to Cart."

Scalpers Are Charging Up to $700 on eBay

Here is where things get frustrating. Almost immediately after the Collector's Edition sold out on the official Xbox store, eBay was flooded with resale listings. Most of these listings are asking around $400 after postage, but some are going well over $700. Some sellers are even running auction-style listings that have already hit $270 with nearly a week remaining.

This is the same scalper problem that hits almost every major gaming release, from limited PlayStation 5 consoles to rare Pokémon card packs. Real fans miss out while resellers profit.

What Can You Do If You Missed It?

• Keep checking the official Xbox Store: Restocks can happen, especially closer to launch

• Avoid paying scalper prices on eBay: The physical items are collectibles, but the game itself is available digitally

• Buy the digital version or a CD key from a trusted price comparison site to get the game at the best price without the hassle

If you want to play the game without overpaying, the best move is to compare digital key prices. CDKeyCompares offers you the cheapest verified CD key prices across multiple trusted stores, so you get into the game fast and save money at the same time.

How to Buy Halo: Campaign Evolved at the Best Price

You don't need to spend $700 on a scalped Collector's Edition just to play the game. The base game and even the Premium Edition are available as digital keys. Here's how to save money:

1. Use a CD key comparison site like CDKeyCompares.com  to compare prices from verified sellers in seconds.

2. Look for the Standard Edition first, it gives you the full rebuilt campaign experience at the lowest price

3. Consider the Premium Edition if you want the new prequel missions, bonus weapons, and extra content

4. Avoid unofficial sellers on social media, stick to verified retailers listed on trusted comparison platforms.

Halo: Campaign Evolved vs. Halo: The Master Chief Collection

A lot of fans are asking whether to buy Halo: Campaign Evolved or just stick with the older Halo: The Master Chief Collection (MCC). Here's a quick breakdown:

Features - Halo: Campaign Evolved (2026) - Halo: MCC

Games included - CE campaign only (fully remade) - 6 full Halo games

Price - ~$49.99+ - Often on sale for under $10 

New content - 3 new prequel missions, extra weapons - No new missions

Co-op - 4-player online co-op - Up to 2-player co-op

Best for - New players or CE fans wanting the definitive CE experience - Players who want the full Halo story

If you want the most content for the lowest price, the Master Chief Collection is still one of gaming's best bargains. But if you want the definitive, rebuilt version of the original Halo, Campaign Evolved is the one to get.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is Halo: Campaign Evolved available on PC?

Ans: Yes! Halo: Campaign Evolved is available on PC via Steam, as well as Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. The Steam version is fully supported with crossplay against Xbox players.

Q2: What is included in the Halo: Campaign Evolved Collector's Edition?

Ans: The $199.99 Collector's Edition includes a 12-inch Master Chief statue, a light-up LED Cortana chip, a SteelBook case, three concept art prints, a recreated original game manual, and a game disc for Xbox Series X or PS5, plus digital bonus content.

Q3: Why is the Halo Collector's Edition so expensive on eBay?

Ans: The Collector's Edition sold out almost immediately after launch on all official platforms. Scalpers bought multiple copies and are now reselling them on eBay for $400–$700+, well above the original $199.99 retail price.

Q4: Does Halo: Campaign Evolved have multiplayer?

Ans: The game focuses on the campaign experience, but it supports 4-player online co-op with full crossplay between PC and Xbox. It does not include a traditional competitive multiplayer mode.

Before you buy, always check CDKeyCompares.com to compare prices from multiple verified sellers. You can often save 20–40% on new game keys compared to the official store price, and get your key instantly.