While Halo: Infinite may not be the launch title Microsoft wanted for the Xbox Series X|S, series fans will be able to step into familiar power armour when Halo: Master Chief Collection receives a next-gen upgrade on November 17.
Xbox announced on Twitter today that the compilation will be available for free for players who already own it on Xbox One, and for Game Pass Holders.
All six games in the Master Chief Collection — Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 2: Anniversary, Halo 3, Halo 3: ODST, and Halo: Reach — will be fully optimized for the Series X|S. Campaign and multiplayer will both run in 120fps, and the Series X will display it in 4K. Splitscreen play has also been improved.
In its current iteration, the Master Chief Collection contains the flagship franchise’s roots in the hands of Bungie. 343 Studios’ Halo 4 was intended to be added to the collection “later in 2020” but no release date has been given yet. Presumably it will also launch on the next-gen platforms simultaneously alongside the Xbox One and PC, when it comes. Halo 3 and Halo 3: ODST were both added earlier this year.
Since its initial launch in November 2014, the collection has not only made Xbox’ signature franchise available for new players but given them a fresh coat of paint as well. Now Master Chief’s exploits will be remastered once again — for the fourth time, in the case of the original game.