iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Yes. The RG35XX H can run the original Xbox version of Halo: Combat Evolved as native ARM64 code and connect to online campaign co-op and competitive multiplayer. This is a community OpenCE port for the H700/Mali-G31 hardware, not Xbox emulation through xemu, Box64 or Wine. With the documented Knulli Gladiator II setup, expect roughly 40–60 frames per second depending on the scene, with 0.75 render scale as the practical default.
You must supply your own original Xbox game image in .iso or .xiso format. The port supplies executable code and launch files only; it does not include Halo maps or other copyrighted game data. Knulli Gladiator II is the reference firmware, while muOS 2601 Jacaranda works with a PortMaster package dated 2026-10-07 or newer. Because the software is experimental, firmware and network compatibility can change between releases.
What the RG35XX H can do
The RG35XX H port runs a decompiled Xbox build of Halo CE directly on Linux for the handheld’s ARM64 processor. OpenCE provides the cross-platform engine and networking layer. There is no Xbox console emulator translating instructions at run time, and no Windows compatibility layer involved. That distinction explains why the game is feasible on the relatively modest H700 system.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall| Feature | RG35XX H support | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign | Yes | Xbox maps are extracted from your own disc image on first launch. |
| Offline multiplayer | Yes | Includes matches against bots. |
| Campaign co-op | Supported | Players need compatible OpenCE builds and matching game content. |
| Competitive multiplayer | Supported | Uses the built-in server browser and system-link networking. |
| Internet play | Supported | Requires Wi-Fi; no project-hosted central server is required for the documented system-link model. |
| Cross-play | Supported with compatible OpenCE builds | Linux, Windows and Android native builds can connect; upstream documentation also describes browser interoperability. |
| Xbox Live emulation | No | This is OpenCE system-link style networking, not an Xbox Live client. |
A public 23-player Blood Gulch match is shown in the device project’s documentation. A Notebookcheck report described a developer joining such a match at approximately 50–60 fps, but also characterized the port as experimental and had not personally verified online campaign co-op on the handheld at announcement time. Treat that as community evidence, not a promise that every router, firmware build or game session will behave identically.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
What you need before installing
Compatible handheld and firmware
- An Anbernic RG35XX H or another supported handheld based on the Allwinner H700 platform.
- Knulli Gladiator II for the documented, tested installation path.
- For muOS, use the PortMaster package reported working on muOS 2601 Jacaranda from version 2026-10-07. Earlier packages had menu, pause and respawn crashes.
- ArkOS and other PortMaster firmware combinations are not established as tested by the project documentation.
Your own Xbox game data
Obtain an image from an original Xbox copy that you own. The accepted formats are .iso and .xiso. The Xbox map files are mandatory: a PC release, Halo Custom Edition data or a random set of downloaded maps cannot substitute for the Xbox content expected by the port. Keep the original disc or your lawful archival copy even after extraction.
Storage and network
- Reserve about 3 GB of free space on the SD card. The project estimates approximately 1.8 GB for extracted maps and 0.8 GB for the first-run cache, with additional temporary room needed while the disc image is present.
- Use Wi-Fi for public internet games. Local-network play is also available through the system-link layer.
- A computer or card reader is useful for copying the release package and disc image to the SD card.
Legal boundary
The launcher and engine are distributed separately from Halo’s copyrighted assets. Make and use a disc image from a copy you own, and follow the copyright and game-preservation laws that apply where you live. Do not download or share someone else’s image.
How the native port works
OpenCE is an upstream decompilation and reimplementation effort that targets Linux, Windows, Android and the web. The RG35XX H build compiles that code for ARM64 and uses the handheld’s Mali-G31 graphics processor. Since the game logic runs natively, performance is determined mainly by scene complexity, render scale, shader compilation and firmware integration rather than by the overhead of emulating an entire Xbox.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
This also explains the compatibility requirement for multiplayer. All participants must use mutually compatible OpenCE networking code and the same map and game content. A stock Xbox, an unrelated PC release or an incompatible OpenCE revision is not automatically a valid peer.
Install Halo CE with Knulli Gladiator II
Knulli is the reference configuration in the project documentation. The following procedure assumes the SD card already boots Knulli and exposes the partition containing its roms directory.
- Download the current Knulli release package. Get the project’s
halo-ce-knulli-<version>.ziparchive. Use the newest release that matches your firmware rather than an old copy saved from an earlier test. - Extract the archive to the correct SD-card partition. Unzip it at the level where the existing
romsfolder is visible. The package should createroms/ports/Halo.shand aroms/ports/halo/directory. Do not nest the extractedromsfolder inside another folder, or EmulationStation will not find the launcher. - Copy the disc image. Place your lawful Xbox
.isoor.xisofile insideroms/ports/halo/. Keep the filename simple and avoid copying PC or Custom Edition files into this directory. - Safely eject the card and boot the handheld. Open the Ports system in EmulationStation. If Halo is not listed, use EmulationStation’s refresh or game-list update command, then reboot if necessary.
- Allow the first extraction to finish. On first launch the port extracts the Xbox
maps/directory. The README estimates about four minutes. Do not power off during this operation. - Wait through cache creation. After extraction, a further black-screen setup builds the first-run cache and takes about one minute. This delay is normal; later starts are much faster because the cache is reused.
- Verify the result before deleting anything. Enter a campaign level and confirm that maps load. Only then may you remove the temporary disc image to reclaim space, and only if you have retained your legal source copy and understand that a future reinstall will require the image again.
Install through PortMaster on other firmware
The generic PortMaster route is less certain than Knulli because firmware libraries and menu integrations differ. Copy the PortMaster zip into that system’s autoinstall folder, launch PortMaster and let it install the package. When installation creates the game directory, copy your Xbox image into the resulting ports/halo/ folder. The package reported as working on muOS 2601 Jacaranda is the build dated 2026-10-07 or newer.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
After installation, refresh the frontend’s game list. If the launcher appears but fails immediately, check the firmware version and the image format before changing graphics settings. ArkOS and other PortMaster systems remain untested in the project documentation, so a failure there may be an integration issue rather than a bad Halo image.
Recommended Free Tools
First launch, graphics settings and expected speed
Keep 0.75 render scale initially
The default internal resolution is 480×360 at a 0.75 render scale, then it is scaled to the RG35XX H’s 640×480 display. This setting leaves more GPU headroom and can use dynamic resolution in demanding scenes. You can raise the scale to 1.0 for a sharper internal image, but GPU load increases and difficult fights may lose frames.
Allow shader and map work to complete
The first entry into a level is slower because map data is decompressed and shaders compile. A pause, brief black screen or uneven performance during that first visit does not necessarily indicate a broken installation. Once the cache exists, subsequent launches should skip most of that work.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Developer measurements on Knulli
The project’s performance table for release v2026.10.06 records measurements on an RG35XX H at stock thermal limits. These are developer measurements, not a guarantee for every unit or firmware build.
| Test area | Render scale | Reported performance | Measurement detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main menu | 0.75 and 1.0 | 60 fps | Both scales reached the menu target. |
| 343 Guilty Spark (c10) | 0.75 | About 57 fps | Observed range 46–60 fps. |
| The Silent Cartographer beach battle (b30) | 0.75 | About 43 fps | Observed range 38–47 fps; this is the heaviest listed scene. |
| Halo opening (a30) | 0.75 | About 59 fps | Observed range 39–60 fps. |
These figures explain why a locked 60 fps expectation is unrealistic. Quiet areas and menus can sit at 60 fps, while effects-heavy battles can fall into the low 40s. Thermal limits, firmware libraries, dynamic resolution and whether shaders are already cached all affect the result.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Join an online game
Prepare both players
- Install mutually compatible OpenCE builds on the RG35XX H and the other player’s device.
- Make sure everyone has the same Halo map and game content. A missing or mismatched Xbox map can prevent a session from appearing or joining.
- Connect the handheld to a stable Wi-Fi network. For friends in the same home, test local-network play first; it removes internet routing as a variable.
Use the server browser
- Start Halo from the Ports menu and open multiplayer.
- Choose the server-browser or invite flow supplied by the build.
- For public internet play, select a visible compatible server. For a private session, have the host create the match and give the other player the invite or server information exposed by that build.
- Wait for the map and game type to load. If the match is not listed, confirm that both builds can see one another on the same network and that map files match before changing graphics settings.
The documented system-link model does not depend on a project-operated central server. Public sessions can still disappear when a host leaves, a router blocks peer traffic or a build changes its discovery behavior. This is different from signing in to Xbox Live, and an Xbox console is not a guaranteed peer for the native OpenCE build.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Playing with PC friends
Linux, Windows and Android native OpenCE builds are documented as interoperable, so a PC friend can join when both sides run compatible revisions and content. Upstream documentation also describes browser interoperability. Ask PC players to use the same OpenCE release family and map set; a conventional PC Halo installation with unrelated networking code may not appear in the RG35XX H browser.
Which firmware should you choose?
| Firmware path | Evidence status | What to expect | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knulli Gladiator II | Documented tested path | Reference package, known folder layout and the baseline for performance figures. | First installation and troubleshooting. |
| muOS 2601 Jacaranda with PortMaster package v2026.10.07 or newer | Reported working | Recent package fixes the instability reported in older releases; exact behavior can vary with firmware updates. | Users who already prefer muOS and can stay on a supported package. |
| Earlier muOS package releases | Reported unstable | Crashes were reported in menus, on respawn and in pause. | Avoid; update before diagnosing other problems. |
| ArkOS and other PortMaster systems | Not stated as tested | Compatibility with their glibc, SDL2, PortMaster integration and frontend is not guaranteed. | Experimental users willing to troubleshoot or wait for documentation. |
When comparing a firmware image, check five practical factors: whether the Halo package is officially tested, PortMaster and glibc/SDL2 compatibility, menu and respawn stability, demanding-scene performance, and how easily you can update or roll back. Knulli leads on documented certainty; a newer muOS package may be suitable if you accept a less established path.
Troubleshoot the common failures
| Symptom | Likely cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Halo does not appear in Ports | Frontend has not scanned the new launcher. | Refresh EmulationStation’s game list, then restart the handheld. Verify that roms/ports/Halo.sh is at the expected level. |
| Immediate startup failure | Wrong asset type or incomplete installation. | Confirm the file is an original Xbox .iso/.xiso, not PC or Custom Edition data. Check that the image is inside roms/ports/halo/ and that roughly 3 GB remains free. |
| Black screen lasts longer than expected | First-run map extraction or cache creation. | Wait through the approximately four-minute extraction and roughly one-minute cache phase. Interrupting power can force the process to start again. |
| Crashes in muOS menus, pause or respawn | Old PortMaster package. | Move to the package dated 2026-10-07 or newer on muOS 2601 Jacaranda before testing other fixes. |
| Stutter or low frame rate | Heavy scene, 1.0 scale, uncached shaders or firmware differences. | Return to 0.75 render scale, let shader compilation finish and compare performance after restarting the level. |
| Online server is missing | Different OpenCE revisions, mismatched maps or network discovery failure. | Use compatible builds and identical content, then test local-network play. Check Wi-Fi and router peer-traffic settings before assuming the port is offline. |
| Campaign co-op fails while competitive play works | Feature or build compatibility issue. | Verify that both players use a build documenting campaign co-op, then retry with the same map set and a local connection. |
How to update without losing your setup
Keep a backup of your disc image, extracted maps and save data before replacing a port package. Read the release notes for the new build, copy the updated launcher and port files over the existing installation, and avoid deleting the maps/ or cache directories unless the release specifically requires a rebuild. If an update introduces crashes, restore the backed-up package or return to the previously working firmware and PortMaster combination. Because this project is experimental, retaining a known-good copy is more useful than assuming every update is backward-compatible.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Is the RG35XX H a good way to play Halo CE online?
It is a practical portable option if you accept community-software trade-offs. The native ARM64 port avoids the cost of full Xbox emulation, reaches playable speeds on the H700 and can connect to OpenCE players on PCs and other handhelds. Knulli Gladiator II offers the clearest installation path, while recent muOS support gives an alternative for users who already run that firmware.
The limits are equally important: you provide the legal Xbox image, first launch takes several minutes, performance varies by level, and online behavior depends on compatible builds and ordinary network conditions. Treat the 40–60 fps range and public-match examples as documented evidence rather than a universal guarantee.
Quick Recap
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.
