Orbitals: A Brief but Beautiful Nostalgic Co-op

Key points

• Orbitals is a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive developed by Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive.
• The game features a cooperative campaign where two players, Maki and Omura, use distinct tools to solve puzzles and pilot a spacecraft.
• The visual style heavily references 1980s and 1990s Japanese animation, including 'Bubble Era' effects and City Pop montages.
• The main campaign lasts approximately five hours, which reviewers describe as too short for the story's scope.
• The narrative involves a space colony threatened by a cosmic storm, requiring the collection of Reactor Cassettes to survive.

Background

Orbitals was revealed in a Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase earlier in 2026. The developer, Shapefarm, is a new studio based in Musashino-shi, Tokyo, with staff experienced in titles like Flintlock: The Siege of Dawn and Devil's Third. The publisher, Kepler Interactive, is known for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The game fits into a broader trend of co-operative titles like It Takes Two, but distinguishes itself through its retro-anime visual identity.

How outlets are covering it

Anime News Network (ANN) and The Observer both praise Orbitals for its exceptional visual design and nostalgic charm, comparing it to classic anime like Ulysses 31 and Dragon Ball. However, they diverge on the game's structural merits. ANN criticizes the game for being too short (under five hours) and having a rushed, confusing final act that undermines the strong character dynamics. The Observer, conversely, frames the simplicity as a deliberate stylistic choice, arguing that the 'Saturday morning' tone and earnest friendship align with the retro aesthetic, making it a 'lavish act of resurrection' rather than a flawed reinvention. Both agree that the gameplay relies on complementary tool mechanics, but ANN notes technical issues with physics and waypoint visibility, while The Observer focuses on the charm of the 'escape room' style puzzles.

Why it matters

Orbitals represents a niche but significant trend in modern game design: the revival of retro aesthetics in high-fidelity co-operative experiences. Its success or failure may influence how future developers approach nostalgia-driven marketing and the balance between visual spectacle and narrative depth in short-form co-op titles.

What to watch

Players can purchase Orbitals for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game supports both local co-op and online play. No further major announcements have been made regarding DLC or expansions, given the game's short runtime.