The remastered version of the game includes new features, achievements, challenges and fiction, as well as six of the most popular multiplayer maps from the original game and one new Firefight map for cooperative play over Xbox LIVE.

Sumthing Else Music Works released "Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Soundtrack" yesterday, which features new orchestrations of the classic "Halo: Combat." The two-disc CD album is available at retailers and as a digital download.

In addition, Microsoft Stores hosted midnight launch parties across the U.S. that began at 10 p.m. Monday night. The parties included a tournament, a $25 gift card and gifts such as a poster and a team identifier.