Open the project page in a current desktop browser, give it a disc image of your own copy of the Xbox game, and it runs the campaign, split-screen co-op and multiplayer rooms locally on your machine. It is unofficial and does not work well on phones.
The original game
Halo: Combat Evolved launched with the original Xbox and became its defining game. Set in the 26th century, you play Master Chief, a cybernetically enhanced supersoldier, who fights the alien Covenant with the help of the AI Cortana and uncovers the purpose of Halo, a ring-shaped artificial world. A parasitic threat called the Flood complicates the mission. Critics praised the campaign, graphics, soundtrack and multiplayer; the Xbox version holds a 97/100 on Metacritic.
Directed by Jason Jones. Music by Martin O'Donnell and Michael Salvatori. Halo: Combat Evolved on Wikipedia
The browser version
Mitchell Hynes announced the browser build on X on September 29, 2026, listing "HALO CE (XBOX)" with working split-screen co-op and multiplayer for up to 128 players. The 128-player figure is a supported ceiling that was untested at launch, not a proven match size.
The browser build runs on a decompilation of the original Xbox build 2342 (the file cachebeta.exe). That decompilation is by Bnunu (bnunu/halo-1), itself a fork of punpckhdq's Halo decompilation. The code is compiled to WebAssembly, so the game executes on your own computer rather than on a server. Native Windows, Linux and Android builds of the same decompilation come from the OpenCE project, which 80.lv credits to "Cybersecurity".
The site ships no Halo data. On first start it asks for an Xbox disc image (.xiso or .iso) from a copy you own; the source repository says the same. Press coverage differs on this point, so check the project page.
Multiplayer creates a room link you share; players connect peer to peer over WebRTC. One report says the site logged almost 20,000 games across 115 countries in its first five hours, and 80.lv reports an average of 94 FPS. One outlet called the frame rate "a little janky", and the developer said it does not play well on mobile.
| Method | Decompilation of the Xbox build, compiled to WebAssembly |
|---|---|
| Decompilation | Xbox build 2342 (cachebeta.exe), by Bnunu, forked from punpckhdq |
| Browser needs | Current desktop browser with WebGL 2, WebAssembly threads, WebRTC and cross-origin isolation |
| Game data | Not included. Disc image (.xiso or .iso) of your own Xbox copy |
| Not included | The Gearbox version of Master Chief |
| Licence | Source repository lists CC0-1.0 |
How to play it
- Open the project page in a current desktop browser (Chrome or another Chromium-based browser is the safe choice).
- When asked, select the disc image (.xiso or .iso) of your own Halo: Combat Evolved for Xbox.
- Pick campaign, split-screen co-op or a multiplayer room. For multiplayer, create a room and share the link with friends.
Links
Source code
Questions
Can you play Halo: Combat Evolved in a browser?
Yes. An unofficial browser version runs the Xbox original in a desktop browser tab. You provide a disc image of your own copy.
Is the browser version decompiled or recompiled?
It is built from a decompilation: people reconstructed source code from the Xbox program, and that source is compiled to WebAssembly. People search both "Halo decompiled" and "Halo recompiled" for the same thing.
Do I need to own Halo?
Yes. The site does not include any game data and asks for an Xbox disc image (.xiso or .iso) of your own copy.
Does it work on mobile?
Not well. The developer has said the build does not play well on mobile devices.
Does it have multiplayer?
Yes. You create a room and share the link, and players connect peer to peer. The supported ceiling is 128 players; larger matches were untested at launch.
Is it official?
No. It is a fan project and has no connection with Microsoft or Bungie.
Sources and coverage
- 80.lv: Halo CE can now be played in a browser
- Club386: The original Halo game is now playable in a web browser
- PC Guide: browser version gets taken down, but it is still playable
- Digital Citizen: runs in a browser with no game data
- TheGamer: Halo CE playable in your browser
- web-halo README
Details checked 2026-10-08. Fan projects change fast; check the project page for the latest.