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Halo: Combat Evolved Gets Online Multiplayer on the Anbernic RG35XX H Through an Unofficial Native Port

An unofficial native port of Halo: Combat Evolved adds online multiplayer on the Anbernic RG35XX H. The developer reports a 23-player Blood Gulch match at 50–60 fps, with setup, firmware, and frame-rate caveats.
Length4 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Yes, with conditions. An unofficial community port of Halo: Combat Evolved for Allwinner H700 handhelds now includes online multiplayer, including a public server browser and online or local-network play. The port’s developer, Masterchief1307, reports joining a public Slayer match on Blood Gulch with 22 other players, 23 participants in total, on an Anbernic RG35XX H. The frame rate in that session was 50 to 60 fps, mostly 58 to 60. That is one developer-reported session on one build, not an independent benchmark, and the port cannot run without original Xbox game data that you supply yourself.

What this port is, and what it is not

The project is a native ARM64 build based on the Halo CE decompilation project. It is not Xbox emulation: the game’s code is recompiled to run directly on the handheld’s Allwinner H700 processor. The RG35XX H is the device the project uses for its own testing. The project is unofficial and carries no endorsement from the original publisher, and the Anbernic RG35XX H ships without Halo and is not sold as a Halo device. The handheld is named here only because it is the hardware used in the reported match.

What you need before installing

The port depends on files you must provide. The project’s documentation sets these requirements:

  • Original Xbox game data. The documentation calls for a North American or European Xbox ISO or XISO image. It states that map files taken from the PC version of the game do not work.
  • Free storage of roughly 3 GB on the storage card. The port uses this space for extracted maps, a cache, and the game image during setup.
  • First-launch extraction. The port pulls map data out of the supplied image the first time it starts. Expect the first launch to take longer than later ones, and do not interrupt it.
  • A compatible OpenCE build on the other end of any online session. The developer’s announcement says play is with compatible OpenCE builds running on PCs or other handhelds.

Which firmware and package combinations are tested

Support is tied to specific firmware. The project’s documentation lists the following status for the RG35XX H:

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  • [Anbernic RG35XX H Handheld Game Console]The RG35XX H retro handheld game console is powered by an H700 quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 processor with a 1.5GHz clock speed, delivering smooth and responsive performance for an enhanced gaming experience.
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Firmware or package Status in project documentation Notes
Knulli Gladiator II Tested The performance table in the project documentation was recorded on this firmware.
PortMaster package on muOS 2601 Jacaranda Tested from release v2026.10.07 The October 7 release added tested muOS support and the documented memory, audio, and demanding-scene changes.
Any other firmware or device combination Not stated as tested Treat as untested unless the project documentation says otherwise.

Online multiplayer: what has been tested

The developer’s account divides the online features into what was used and what was only announced.

  • Joining a public match (tested by the developer on the handheld). The developer reports joining a public Slayer game on Blood Gulch with 22 other players. The post says it connected on the first attempt.
  • Hosting (announced, not personally tried on the handheld at the time). The announcement lists hosting, but the developer’s post says it had not been tried on the handheld when it was written.
  • Online campaign co-op (announced, not personally tried on the handheld at the time). It is listed alongside hosting with the same caveat. Do not treat it as validated on the handheld.

The developer’s post describes the session this way:

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  • Premium Retro Handheld Game Console Hardware:This RG35XX H retro handheld game console adopts H700 quad-core CPU and G31 GPU, equipped with 1GB LPDDR4 memory and 64GB TF card preloaded with massive classic games. Built for smooth emulator running, this portable pocket game console supports more than 20 mainstream emulators, delivering stable and fluent retro gaming experience for all leisure scenarios.
  • 3.5 Inch IPS OCA Screen Immersive Visuals:Featured with 3.5 inch IPS OCA full lamination screen and 640×480 high resolution, this retro emulator console provides delicate color, ultra-wide viewing angle and eye-friendly display. The high-definition screen greatly enhances visual enjoyment, perfect for long gaming hours at home or while traveling outdoors.
  • Long Battery Life & Ultra-Portable Design:Built-in 3300mAh rechargeable battery offers up to 8 hours of continuous gameplay, making this retro handheld game console ideal for long trips and daily use. Compact pocket size and lightweight design are easy to carry, perfectly fitting travel, commute, camping and home casual entertainment anytime.
  • WiFi Bluetooth & HDMI TV Output Function:This RG35XX H portable pocket game console supports dual-band WiFi 2.4G/5G and Bluetooth 4.2, enabling online multiplayer, game streaming and wireless controller connection. With HDMI TV output function, you can project game content to large screen devices to enjoy immersive big-screen retro gaming at home.
  • Expandable Storage & All-Scenario Entertainment:Dual TF card slots support up to 512GB storage expansion to store more classic retro games. Running on mature Linux system with multi-language support and simple operation, this retro emulator console fits home relaxation, travel leisure, outdoor gathering and retro game collection perfectly.

“I joined a public internet game and played on Blood Gulch with 22 other players: it connected first time and held 50–60 fps.” (Masterchief1307, project developer, Reddit post)

Frame rates: three different measurements

The figure that circulated most widely, “up to 60 fps,” combines three measurements that should be read separately. Only the first comes from a multiplayer match, and none of them is a guarantee of the frame rate you will see in every session.

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Public multiplayer match

The developer reports 50 to 60 fps, mostly 58 to 60, during the 23-player Blood Gulch match. This is a single session on a single build. The developer did not publish a measurement method, a sample length, or a result from a second match, so the figure describes that session only.

Server browser

Notebookcheck reports the developer’s figure of 60 fps for the server browser after a text-rendering optimization. Before that change, the browser was reported at 18 to 26 fps. Browser speed says little about how a match will run once it starts, so do not use it as a gameplay number.

Rank #4
Anbernic RG35XX H Retro Handheld Game Console Linux System 3.5''IPS Screen 64G TF Card with 3545+ Preinstalled Games RG 35XXH Portable Gaming Console RG35XXH Support 5G WiFi Bluetooth HDMI White
  • Built-in Linux system. The Anbernic RG35XX H handheld game console for seniors is equipped with the H700 processor quad-core ARM Cortexi-A53 1GB. It is a smooth and sensitive operating system that significantly improves the player's gaming experience.
  • Long battery life. The rg 35xxh built-in high-capacity 3300mAh lithium battery, ultra-long standby, battery life and battery life. It can sustain up to 8 hours of gaming time and support fast charging with a USB Type-C cable.
  • Multiple connection methods. The rg35xxh new handheld game console 2025 for kids retro classic supports 2.4G wireless controller and wired controller connection, Bluetooth connection controller, providing multiple options to enrich the gaming experience
  • 3.5-inch IPS screen. The RG 35XX H preloaded handheld game console 3.5-inch IPS screen is fully laminated with OCA and has a resolution of 640*480, giving players a clear gaming experience. In addition, the screen is sturdy and not fragile.
  • 64G storage space. The rg35xx h retro handheld game console for kids is used with a 64GTF card. It supports more than 30+ game formats. It supports Dual card slots and TF card expansion, and the maximum capacity can reach 512G to meet your diverse gaming needs.

Campaign scenes

The project’s performance table records results on the RG35XX H under Knulli Gladiator II, with stock thermal limits, dynamic resolution enabled, and the default 0.75 render scale. These are developer measurements under those stated settings:

Scene or screen Reported result Conditions
Main menu 60 fps Knulli Gladiator II, project documentation
The Silent Cartographer, beach battle About 43 fps (range 38 to 47) Same settings; demanding scene
Opening of Halo About 59 fps (range 39 to 60) Same settings; ranges show variation within the scene

Notebookcheck also summarizes the developer’s figures for the Silent Cartographer beach battle on the two firmware options: 33 to 46 fps on muOS and 45 to 58 fps on Knulli. These are developer-reported values and were not measured independently.

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Best Value
Anbernic RG35XX H Retro Handheld Game Console, 3.5" IPS OCA Screen, Linux System, 64GB Preloaded Classic Games, WiFi Bluetooth, HDMI Output, Ideal for Travel Commute Home Outdoor Black
  • Premium Retro Handheld Game Console Hardware:This RG35XX H retro handheld game console adopts H700 quad-core CPU and G31 GPU, equipped with 1GB LPDDR4 memory and 64GB TF card preloaded with massive classic games. Built for smooth emulator running, this portable pocket game console supports more than 20 mainstream emulators, delivering stable and fluent retro gaming experience for all leisure scenarios.
  • 3.5 Inch IPS OCA Screen Immersive Visuals:Featured with 3.5 inch IPS OCA full lamination screen and 640×480 high resolution, this retro emulator console provides delicate color, ultra-wide viewing angle and eye-friendly display. The high-definition screen greatly enhances visual enjoyment, perfect for long gaming hours at home or while traveling outdoors.
  • Long Battery Life & Ultra-Portable Design:Built-in 3300mAh rechargeable battery offers up to 8 hours of continuous gameplay, making this retro handheld game console ideal for long trips and daily use. Compact pocket size and lightweight design are easy to carry, perfectly fitting travel, commute, camping and home casual entertainment anytime.
  • WiFi Bluetooth & HDMI TV Output Function:This RG35XX H portable pocket game console supports dual-band WiFi 2.4G/5G and Bluetooth 4.2, enabling online multiplayer, game streaming and wireless controller connection. With HDMI TV output function, you can project game content to large screen devices to enjoy immersive big-screen retro gaming at home.
  • Expandable Storage & All-Scenario Entertainment:Dual TF card slots support up to 512GB storage expansion to store more classic retro games. Running on mature Linux system with multi-language support and simple operation, this retro emulator console fits home relaxation, travel leisure, outdoor gathering and retro game collection perfectly.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Troubleshooting and practical limits

  • Map files fail to load. Check the source image. The documentation says PC-version map files are incompatible, and only a North American or European Xbox ISO or XISO is documented as working.
  • Setup stops partway through. Confirm roughly 3 GB is free on the storage card before the first launch, since extraction needs the space.
  • Frame rate drops in demanding scenes. Expect variation in scenes like the Silent Cartographer beach battle. The documented results come from stock thermal limits and dynamic resolution, so other settings may change them.
  • Hosting or co-op does not behave as described. Those modes were announced but not validated on the handheld in the developer’s post. Test them yourself before relying on them.
  • Your firmware is not listed. Treat the combination as untested. The project only names Knulli Gladiator II and the PortMaster package on muOS 2601 Jacaranda from v2026.10.07.

As of October 9, 2026, online joining is the only online mode with a first-hand report from the handheld, and the frame-rate figures above come from the developer and the project documentation, not from an outside lab.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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