Orbitals is serving true co-op joy.
Revealed with fresh gameplay during the latest Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, Orbitals is a two-player, retro anime-inspired cooperative adventure launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 this summer. It is built from the ground up for teamwork, communication, and that very specific feeling of yelling helpful instructions at someone you trust while everything is on fire in space.
Developed by Tokyo-based studio Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive, Orbitals stars Maki and Omura, two pilots thrown into a last-ditch mission to save their home from an incoming cosmic storm. The catch is that nothing works unless you work together.
What Orbitals Actually Is
Orbitals is a co-op adventure about shared problem-solving. You are not just fighting enemies or clearing levels. You are navigating hazardous environments, solving physics-based puzzles, piloting a ship through asteroid fields, and competing in odd little minigames that test how well you can think together under pressure.
Each character has access to tools that are designed to complement the other player, not replace them. Progress depends on timing, communication, and coordination rather than individual skill flexing.
Some of the key tools include:
- The Scrap Hook is used to grapple and reposition platforms so your partner can reach new areas
- The Liquid Launcher, which fires pressurised water to activate distant mechanisms or cool down dangerous surfaces
- The Beam Cannon is a concentrated heat weapon that melts obstacles and clears blocked paths
It is very much a “you go, no wait, now me, okay NOW” kind of game, and that is the appeal.
Built for Playing Together, Wherever You Are
Orbitals offers several ways to play co-op on Nintendo Switch 2, and it is refreshingly flexible about it.
You can play locally using split-screen with two pairs of Joy-Con 2 controllers on a single console. You can also use Nintendo’s GameShare feature to play with someone on another compatible Nintendo Switch 2 or original Nintendo Switch system.
Online play leans hard into communication, making use of the Nintendo Switch 2’s built-in microphone and GameChat so you can coordinate puzzles, call out hazards, or panic together in real time. It is clearly designed around the idea that co-op is better when you can actually talk to each other.
Retro Anime Energy, Modern Co-Op Design
Visually, Orbitals leans into bold colours, expressive character animation, and a distinctly retro anime aesthetic without feeling stuck in the past. It feels playful and cinematic, but still readable during chaotic moments.
This game is all about connection, timing, and figuring things out together. That makes it especially appealing if you love co-op games that prioritise shared experience over competition.
Game Info
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Game Title | Orbitals |
| Developer | Shapefarm |
| Publisher | Kepler Interactive |
| Release Window | Summer 2026 |
| Platforms | Nintendo Switch 2 (Exclusive) |
| Players | 2 Players |
| Modes | Local Split-Screen Co-Op, Online Co-Op |
| Genre | Co-Op Adventure, Puzzle Platformer |
| Wishlist | Available Now |
Accessibility Snapshot
Accessibility details are based on official Nintendo listing and confirmed features as of February 2026. Developers may add more accessibility options closer to launch.
| Category | Feature | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text | Multiple Languages (Interface & Subtitles) | Confirmed | Nintendo lists full language support, including English, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean, Russian, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplified & Traditional), and Polish. |
| Audio | Full Voice Acting | Confirmed | Full Japanese and English voice tracks reported by Nintendo/Life. |
| Co-Op Options | Local Split-Screen | Confirmed | Two players on one console. |
| Co-Op Options | Online Co-Op | Confirmed | Uses Nintendo Switch Online + GameShare/GameChat. |
| Communication | Voice Chat (Switch 2 GameChat) | Confirmed | Built-in mic support reported for online co-op. |
| Controls | Button Remapping | Not Confirmed | No official info yet on remapping. |
| Visual | Colourblind Modes | Not Confirmed | Not listed on official pages yet. |
| Difficulty | Adjustable Difficulty | Not Confirmed | No official info yet. |
| Text | Text Size Scaling | Not Confirmed | Not listed yet. |
| Sensory | Camera Shake Toggle | Not Confirmed | Not officially documented. |
Quick Notes:
- The language support is unusually broad for a Switch 2 launch title and a big plus for accessibility and localisation.
- Confirmed online and local co-op with built-in mic indicates thoughtful connectivity support for cooperative players.
- The lack of official information about remapping or visual options doesn’t mean they won’t be available; it’s just not confirmed yet.
We’ll re-update this snapshot once more accessibility details are announced by the developers or appear in official platform listings.
Why Orbitals Is One to Watch
There is something quietly confident about Orbitals. It is not trying to be the loudest game in the room. It is focused on making co-op feel intentional, meaningful, and fun in ways that go beyond just sharing a screen.
If you love games that reward communication, patience, and shared problem-solving, this one is absolutely worth keeping on your radar.
Orbitals launches this summer exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2, and it is available to wishlist now.
TLDR;
- Orbitals is a 2-player co-op adventure built entirely around teamwork
- Launching Summer 2026, exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2
- You play as Maki and Omura, trying to save their home from a cosmic storm
- Gameplay mixes platforming, puzzles, spaceship sections, and co-op minigames
- Designed for local split-screen or online co-op using GameShare and GameChat
- Retro anime-inspired visuals with expressive characters and playful sci-fi energy
- Communication and coordination are the whole point. This is not a solo game
- Wishlist now via the official Orbitals site and Nintendo Store
Stay unruly.
