‘Orbitals’ preview: cooperative and competitive

Franziska Behner-Thang

7/7/2026

Translation: machine translated

‘Orbitals’ is set to bring a mix of co-op and competitive fun to the Nintendo Switch 2 in autumn 2026. The first 45 minutes show that the game should also appeal to casual players.

At last, a new couch co-op game! «It Takes Two» hit the mark a few years ago with its humorous story and varied mini-games. In 2021, the split-screen adventure was named ‘ «’ Game of the Year» at the Game Awards. Unfortunately, there are relatively few recent co-op games with split-screen that are suitable for a games night on the sofa. Publisher «Kepler Interactive» and the development team behind «Shapefarm» are aiming to change that with «Orbitals». This co-op adventure, with its retro anime aesthetic, is reminiscent of series from the 80s and 90s and aims to capture the charm of that era through Easter eggs.

Anyone who, like me, used to watch «Dragon Ball» and the like flickering across the TV screen will feel transported back in time with «Orbitals». The pastel colours and retro look immediately caught my eye. «Orbitals» is modelled on the animation techniques of that era. Whilst the characters in the foreground move at 24 frames per second (FPS), characters and actions in the background are rendered at just 12 FPS. This rendering speed – which is slow by today’s standards – and the slightly washed-out flickering are intentional.

Two teenagers become heroes

The opening sequence offers a glimpse into Omura and Maki’s backstory. As children, they are separated from their loved ones during a disaster in space. Their home station is suddenly caught in a cosmic storm, and it’s up to the kids to save their home.

Omura and Maki are clever, but they don’t have any special abilities. At least not in the first 45 minutes of gameplay that I was able to test. Omura looks as though he’s an alien – whether that brings more than just a cool look remains to be seen.

I tackle the adventures in * «* Orbitals» using weapons and equipment found in various sections of the space station. For the first puzzles, for example, I use a grappling hook, a laser and an oversized water pistol.

Sometimes, one player has to open hatches with the grappling hook so that the other can activate a switch. At other points, I have to regularly supply my partner with power using my laser whilst he glides through an obstacle course. I also frequently fly through space in a spaceship and fire a turret in «Orbitals». Cool!

Communication is key

I’m separated from my partner within the first few minutes of the game whilst we’re exploring the station. It quickly becomes clear that we can’t make any progress without each other. Omura can only cross a lake of magma if I melt the icicles hanging from the ceiling from a distance using my laser. The water droplets cool the blazing liquid and briefly form a surface we can walk on.

«Orbitals» relies heavily on communication. There are hardly any tutorials or explanations. I often have to work with my partner to figure out how a puzzle works and which weapon from our arsenal is useful. Without coordinated timing, some sections simply cannot be completed. That’s why «Orbitals» doesn’t work with an AI partner, but only locally or online via Gameshare.

Saving the home and playing mini-games

In the space station, which serves as a hub, we gradually unlock more and more rooms over time. Some are necessary for completing the mission, whilst others are decorative, allowing us to get to know the characters better through their personal rooms. Every now and then, doors to mini-games also open.

The rope-skipping mini-game had been hyped up so much that I was expecting something spectacular. Together with my gaming partner, I jump over laser beams until my three lives are used up. That’s it. We stop after the second round because the camera is far too close. The gameplay of the skipping rope mini-game isn’t exactly thrilling either.

In the spaceship’s common room, there’s a co-op leaderboard where you can view the results of the mini-games. Apparently there are quite a few of them, so my gaming partner and I can pass the time whilst we’re not on the rescue mission. It remains to be seen what added value these extra games offer.

Outlook: promising couch co-op fun

The puzzles are always designed in such a way that I can work out the solution after just a few failed attempts. This means there are no moments of frustration. Quite the opposite, in fact: my gaming partner and I often had a good laugh. This is where I see the greatest strength of «Orbitals»: it’s incredibly entertaining.

As our abilities are determined by weapons and items, nobody is stuck in a fixed role. In one level I’m the pilot; the next time I’m manning the gun. Because tasks can be divided up depending on controller skills, even trickier levels can be played without any problems by casual gamers or children.

I’m not sure, though, whether I like the running animation and the feel of the movement. Although Maki, the character I got to play, appears to be running, it feels more like gliding whilst playing. This makes navigation a bit vague, and I struggle to move precisely. Many of the early puzzles use auto-lock or have generous hitboxes. That’s why I’m still managing just fine. Will this be the case throughout the whole game? I’ll know more when * «* *Orbitals*» is released on Nintendo Switch 2 on 4 September 2026.

Video games

Nintendo Orbitals

Switch 2, DE

Franziska Behner-Thang

Freelance Editor

info@franziskabehner.de

I didn’t have a Game Boy or a Super Nintendo as a child, and only joined the world of gaming at 15. I’ve been trying to make up for lost time ever since. But looking at the ever-growing number of game releases each year, it seems the entire industry is conspiring against me. more

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