Ethan Crossfield 
Players looking for a new co-op game on Nintendo Switch 2 have a promising option in Orbitals. Reviews for Shapefarm and Kepler Interactive’s platformer are now available ahead of its September 3, 2026 launch, with critics responding especially well to its retro anime presentation, characters, and accessible cooperative design.
What makes Orbitals worth watching
Orbitals follows Maki and Omura in a third-person, asymmetrical puzzle-platformer built around cooperation. Progress depends on both players coordinating their abilities and actions to overcome environmental challenges. The concept places it in the same broad space as It Takes Two and Split Fiction, but Orbitals establishes a different identity through visuals inspired by 1990s anime.
That style is more than a surface-level choice. Reviewers have repeatedly highlighted the game’s Saturday-morning-anime atmosphere, describing the presentation as one of its clearest strengths. The art direction gives the adventure a nostalgic personality while supporting the game’s central appeal: solving platforming challenges with another player.
Who can play and how co-op works
Orbitals is exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, but its multiplayer options are broader than a platform-exclusive release might suggest. Players can tackle the campaign through local co-op or online co-op, making it suitable for friends sharing a console as well as those playing remotely.
The game also supports GameShare, meaning only one player needs to own a copy for a friend to join. That could make Orbitals easier to try with a partner before committing to a purchase. The digital version costs $39.99, while the physical Switch 2 edition and digital deluxe edition are each priced at $49.99.
What the reviews mean before launch
Orbitals currently holds an 84 average on OpenCritic and an 81 on Metacritic, with 95% of critics recommending it. The consensus presents the game as a polished and enjoyable co-op experience, even if it does not consistently match the puzzle ambition of its most obvious inspirations.
Some reviews found the puzzle design less inventive than the standards set by It Takes Two and Split Fiction. The relatively short runtime has also been mentioned as a limitation. Still, that criticism is paired with the sense that the game leaves players wanting more because its characters, platforming, and visual style make the journey enjoyable. Orbitals launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on September 3, 2026.
What players should know
- Orbitals launches on September 3, 2026, exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
- It supports local co-op, online co-op, and GameShare.
- Only one player needs a copy to use GameShare with a friend.
- Reviews praise the 1990s anime-inspired art direction and lovable characters.
- Critics are more divided on the originality of its puzzles and the game’s short runtime.
- Pricing is $39.99 for digital, or $49.99 for the physical edition and digital deluxe edition.
Orbitals review scores
| Aggregator | Average score | Additional detail |
|---|---|---|
| OpenCritic | 84 | Average critic score |
| Metacritic | 81 | Average critic score |
| Critic recommendation rate | 95% | Tracked across review aggregators |
Expert View
Orbitals looks like a strong, focused addition to the Switch 2 library rather than a direct challenge to the genre’s biggest award winners. Its most compelling advantages are the distinctive anime presentation, flexible co-op options, and approachable premise. Players seeking unusually complex puzzles may find it less ambitious, but those wanting a stylish shared adventure should keep it on their September watchlist.
