In a sea of hyper-realistic graphics and grimdark sequels at The Game Awards 2025, one game dared to be colorful, charming, and unapologetically retro. Orbitals, a new title from Tokyo-based indie studio Shapefarm and publisher Kepler Interactive, stole hearts with its vibrant trailer and surprise platform announcement. If you have been waiting for a reason to get excited about the Nintendo Switch 2, this might just be it.
The trailer showcased a world that feels ripped straight out of a 1980s sci-fi anime, complete with bubble-helmet spacesuits, chunky analog tech, and a sense of wonder that modern gaming often forgets. But Orbitals isn’t just about looks—it is built from the ground up for cooperative play, promising to test your friendships in the vacuum of space.
A Love Letter to Retro Anime
The first thing that hits you about Orbitals is the art style. It eschews the pixel art trend for a crisp, cel-shaded look that mimics the golden age of Japanese animation (think early Ghibli meets Space Battleship Yamato). The colors are warm, the character designs are expressive, and the animation has that distinct hand-crafted feel.
Players take on the roles of Maki and Omura, two space station workers who find themselves in the middle of a “supernatural cosmic storm.” The visuals aren’t just for show; the trailer hinted at environments that shift and warp with the storm, requiring players to navigate surreal, gravity-defying landscapes that look like a psychedelic manga cover come to life.
Co-Op Chaos in Zero-G
At its core, Orbitals is an asymmetrical co-op adventure. This means you and your partner won’t just be doing the same thing side-by-side. The trailer showed moments where one player piloted a small spacecraft through a debris field while the other managed repairs or cleared obstacles from inside the ship.
This dynamic forces communication and teamwork, similar to games like It Takes Two or Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime. Whether you are fixing a hull breach before your oxygen runs out or synchronizing your movements to solve a zero-gravity puzzle, Orbitals seems designed to create those chaotic, shouting-at-the-TV moments that define the best couch co-op games.
A Switch 2 Exclusive
Perhaps the biggest news is the platform. Orbitals is confirmed as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. This is a significant win for Nintendo’s upcoming console, proving that they are aggressively courting unique indie titles to flesh out their launch window lineup. The game reportedly utilizes new features of the Switch 2, though Shapefarm has remained tight-lipped about exactly how the new hardware enhances the experience beyond the obvious visual upgrade.
Conclusion
With a release window of 2026, we have a bit of a wait before we can suit up with Maki and Omura. However, Orbitals has firmly planted itself on our radar as one of the most promising indie titles of the next generation. It’s colorful, it’s cooperative, and it’s exclusive—a trifecta that usually spells success for Nintendo fans.
FAQs
What is the release date for Orbitals?
Orbitals is currently scheduled to launch in 2026. No specific month or day has been announced yet.
Is Orbitals coming to PS5 or Xbox?
No. As of the announcement, Orbitals is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. It is possible it could come to other platforms later, but nothing has been confirmed.
Can I play Orbitals single-player?
The game is described as a “two-player co-op adventure.” While many co-op games offer a solo mode with an AI partner, the marketing heavily emphasizes the cooperative experience.
Who is the developer behind Orbitals?
The game is being developed by Shapefarm, a Tokyo-based indie studio, and published by Kepler Interactive.
What engine is Orbitals built on?
The game is built using Unreal Engine 5, allowing for high-fidelity cel-shaded visuals that take advantage of the Switch 2’s hardware.