If you’re looking for a co-op game to play with a friend on Nintendo Switch 2, Orbitals is one of the more interesting releases of 2026.
Developed by Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive, Orbitals is a retro-anime-inspired game with puzzles, platforming, exploration, and a story designed specifically around two players.
Unlike many co-op games that simply add multiplayer to an existing single-player experience, Orbitals has been built from the ground up around two-player asymmetric co-op.
Both players control different characters with different tools, meaning communication and cooperation are central to progressing through the adventure.
Here’s everything you need to know about Orbitals before its September launch.
What Is Orbitals?
Orbitals is a two-player action-adventure and puzzle game set in an original retro-anime-inspired science-fiction universe.
You take control of Maki and Omura, two childhood friends who live in a settlement cut off from the wider universe after a mysterious cosmic storm.
When their home is placed in danger, the pair venture beyond the storm in search of a way to save their people.
The adventure takes the duo through asteroid fields, abandoned stations, and mysterious locations filled with environmental puzzles, platforming challenges, and strange creatures.
The important part is that Maki and Omura aren’t simply two identical characters. Their different abilities are designed to complement each other, forcing players to coordinate their actions to overcome obstacles.
Orbitals Release Date
Orbitals launches on September 3, 2026. It will be released exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
The game is available digitally and physically, with the standard digital edition at $39.99 in the United States.
The physical version is also planned for launch, with the standard physical edition listed at $49.99 in the US.
The game’s estimated download size is approximately 9.8GB.
The Story: Maki and Omura’s Journey
Orbitals follows Maki and Omura, two inseparable explorers who grew up in a settlement that has been isolated from the rest of space.
Their home became trapped behind a mysterious Storm Wall, leaving the settlement in a precarious situation.
The pair eventually leave their familiar surroundings and travel into the unknown in an attempt to find help.
The developers have focused heavily on the feel of classic Japanese anime. The story is an adventure inspired by the sense of wonder and larger-than-life characters associated with older anime.
That influence isn’t limited to the game’s character designs, either. Orbitals features cinematic sequences created with Studio Massket, along with full voice acting and an original soundtrack designed to complement its retro-anime identity.
Gameplay Explained
The game is built specifically for two players, with Maki and Omura having different tools and responsibilities.
Instead of simply having two players attack the same enemies, the gameplay requires players to use their abilities together.
It’s an asymmetric two-player co-op adventure, where players need to use their individual tools to open paths, solve puzzles, and deal with hazards.
Previews have shown sequences where one character’s tool can manipulate the environment while the other provides support, making coordination a major part of the experience.
This should make Orbitals particularly interesting for players who enjoy games such as It Takes Two and Split Fiction, although Orbitals has its own identity thanks to its anime presentation and space setting.
Why the Co-op Is Different
Orbitals isn’t designed around the idea that both players should be able to do everything.
Instead, each character brings different capabilities to the table. That means players will often need to communicate about what they are doing rather than simply running through a level together.
For example, one player may need to interact with an object or create an opportunity while the other takes advantage of it.
Timing can also become important, with both players needing to perform actions in sequence or simultaneously.
The developers have repeatedly said teamwork and communication are core parts of the experience.
That makes Orbitals much closer to a genuine co-op adventure than a conventional multiplayer platformer.
Exploration Beyond the Storm Wall
The Storm Wall serves as the boundary between the characters’ home and the mysterious world beyond it.
Once Maki and Omura venture outside, they’ll encounter asteroid fields, abandoned stations, and other locations that contain both puzzles and dangers.
The developers aren’t treating the setting as simple background decoration, either. Exploration and the environment are closely connected to the puzzles, meaning you will need to pay attention to your surroundings.
There are also sequences involving piloting a ship through dangerous areas, giving the adventure some variety between its platforming and puzzle sections.
Retro Anime Visual Style
One of the first things you’ll notice about Orbitals is its visual style.
The game is heavily inspired by classic Japanese anime, particularly the colorful, expressive look associated with older animated adventures.
Rather than simply applying an anime filter to a conventional 3D game, Shapefarm has built the game’s presentation around that aesthetic. The game deliberately feels like a playable retro anime.
The soundtrack follows the same philosophy, with an original score intended to capture the atmosphere of the era. The opening theme, “Accelerating Destiny,” is also designed around that classic anime-inspired identity.
How Long Is Orbitals?
The developers have not announced a final official playtime for the complete game.
However, previews have indicated that the main adventure is targeting roughly 7-8 hours, although the final length could vary depending on how players approach the game and whether additional activities are completed.
That puts Orbitals in the relatively compact co-op adventure category. For a game designed around playing with one specific friend, that could actually work in its favor.
The focus appears to be on delivering a tightly paced adventure rather than padding the experience with repetitive content.
Is Orbitals Single-Player?
No. Orbitals is designed specifically for two players.
The game can be played locally or online, but its core experience is built around two-player cooperation.
This is important if you’re considering Orbitals as a solo purchase: it isn’t a traditional single-player adventure where a second character can simply be controlled by AI.
You’ll want a friend or another player to experience the game as intended.
Orbitals Multiplayer Options
The game supports several different ways to play with another person.
Local Co-op
Two players can play together locally on Nintendo Switch 2. The local co-op requires one copy of the game and two sets of controllers.
Local GameShare
Orbitals also supports local GameShare. Local GameShare can allow players to play together even when the second player doesn’t own a copy of the game.
Online GameShare
Players can also use Nintendo Switch 2’s online GameShare functionality. This requires Nintendo Switch Online and GameChat for the relevant online GameShare features.
Global Friend’s Pass
Perhaps the coolest multiplayer feature is the Global Friend’s Pass.
Only one player needs to own the full game. Their friend can download the free Global Friend’s Pass application and join them for the complete Orbitals experience without purchasing another copy.
The Friend’s Pass also includes a free local co-op demo, so players can try the opening chapter before committing to the game.
This is a pretty smart approach for a co-op-only game. The biggest hurdle with these experiences is often convincing a friend to buy the game too, and Orbitals has eliminated that problem.
Orbitals Deluxe Edition
Orbitals will also have a Digital Deluxe Edition.
The Deluxe Edition includes:
- The base game
- Digital artbook
- Original digital soundtrack
- Exclusive Maki costume
- Exclusive Omura costume
- Two exclusive ship skins
The additional content is primarily for fans who want some extras and behind-the-scenes material.
The US price for the Digital Deluxe Edition is $49.99, compared with $39.99 for the standard digital version.
There is also a Deluxe Upgrade Pack listed separately for $14.99, so owners of the standard game can upgrade.
Is Orbitals Worth Waiting for?
Absolutely. Orbitals isn’t trying to compete with huge open-world games or sprawling RPGs.
Instead, it is going after a much more focused experience: a colorful, story-driven adventure that two people can play together from beginning to end.
The asymmetric gameplay, puzzle solving, platforming, and its retro-anime presentation make it one of the more distinctive upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusives.
The $39.99 standard digital price also puts it below the $60-$70 range common for many new console releases.
Of course, the biggest question will be whether the puzzles and co-op mechanics remain interesting throughout the full campaign.
But based on the gameplay shown so far, Orbitals looks like a game specifically designed for players who want something they can experience with a friend rather than simply another solo adventure.
If you’re a Nintendo Switch 2 owner with a gaming partner, Orbitals is definitely one to keep on your radar this September.
