Orbitals Review - Anime & The '80s Converge In Incredible Co-Op Adventure

Sep 01, 2026 - 13:10

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Orbitals Review - Anime & The '80s Converge In Incredible Co-Op Adventure

First Released September 3, 2026

Score

Published Sep 1, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT

Mixing anime aesthetics with '80s science fiction, Orbitals is a feast for the eyes on Switch 2, and its co-op gameplay is equally excellent.

Orbitals has it all: You can unlock hidden mini-games, but most of the narrative is divided into chapters, split between space exploration and levels that require you to utilize a repertoire of weapons, all while listening to infectious Japanese pop rock. See Pros & Cons

Sometimes, a game comes along that blends so many known elements together that it becomes original in its own right. Orbitals, a new Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive from Kepler Interactive and Shapeform, is that kind of game. At times, it feels like a Studio Ghibli movie; at times, it reminded me of '80s anime like Mobile Suit Gundam or Bubblegum Crisis; and at times, it plays like someone stirred Split Fiction and Neon Genesis Evangelion into a pot to see what would come out.

And what came out of that pot is one of the most pleasant surprises of 2026. I already had high hopes for Orbitals after its Nintendo Direct trailer, but I wasn't expecting to be so enamored with its dual protagonists, incredible soundtrack, and highly-addictive gameplay. There are plenty of puzzles to solve, rhythm sections, and even space combat segments.

Orbitals' Story Blends Retro Sci-Fi With Ghibli-Like Animation

Our heroes are Maki and Omura, intergalactic explorers working to save their people, all of whom are stuck in space. I don't want to spoil anything else about the story. It's best to discover the narrative and world-building of Orbitals on your own. A sense of humor permeates it, and there are plenty of heartwarming moments. By the end, you'll feel like Maki and Omura are your longtime friends.

As good as the story is, it can feel rushed or even confusing at times. Longer cutscenes, which are fully animated and voice-acted, reminded me of sticking a VHS tape into my VCR circa 1995, kicking back and watching an adventure in space (this is a good thing). The downside is that the story feels like it could have been developed a bit more, perhaps by explaining terms, character motivations, and its world-building more clearly. In some ways, the rushed story can make the emotional ending a bit more toothless than it was likely meant to be.

The catch, of course, is that this is a co-op game focused on solving puzzles and platforming as a team. The cutscenes and story are secondary by nature. That being said, I enjoyed the story of Orbitals far more than any other recent co-op game I've played (cough, Split Fiction, cough), which will long be remembered for its incredible gameplay rather than its contrived plots.

Orbitals' Co-Op Gameplay Is A Lot Of Fun

Yes, the story is good, but the gameplay in Orbitals is what you came for. It's why you bought the admission ticket. And, thankfully, the gameplay is loads of fun. For the most part, the gameplay is split between fairly on-the-rails space exploration and levels that blend puzzles with platforming, all of which must be done in co-op with a partner.

The good news there is that there's a Global Friend Pass, which means a friend can play it with you on another Switch 2 for free if you own the game yourself. So, even if you don't have someone around for couch co-op, you can play online with a friend or family member, and they won't have to pay for it.

In the individual levels, you mostly rely on a variety of weapons/tools to help you solve puzzles and survive dangerous environments. You'll use tools that shoot water, let you possess living creatures, and even allow you to grapple onto things and yank — and that's just naming a few. Remember Jak 2 on the PlayStation 2? A lot of the platforming while using weapons reminded me of that, albeit with co-op mechanics.

Spaceship Exploration & Combat Is A Real Trip

In the space exploration segments, one player uses the ship's guns while the other serves as the pilot. Most of this is simply going from Point A to Point B, but there are some combat moments that any kid who ever hung out in an arcade will appreciate. There's even a time or two that turns the game into Galaga, and I adore Galaga.

The only gameplay downsides are the autosave feature and some clunky menu choices. You can't use the chapter selection from the pause menu, which is annoying but not game-breaking. My biggest complaint is that using autosave, which is the only way to save your progress, doesn't happen frequently enough.

There were times when we'd finish a segment, watch a long(ish) cutscene, and the game still hadn't saved. And there were times when we'd be mid-level, having accomplished quite a bit already, but the autosave hadn't triggered in 20+ minutes. It's an oversight that can likely be fixed with an update, but it certainly served as a detraction a few times considering it's the only way to save your game.

Orbitals Is More Than Just A Retro One-Off

Orbitals may lean heavily into its retro vibes, but it never uses them as a crutch. The co-op adventure is still the focal point, and each level feels unique. Whether that's by using some unlocked ability or playing through sections that suddenly turn gameplay on its head, there are plenty of surprises along the way.

Honestly, I'm just amazed that in 2026, a game can borrow so many elements from the past but still feel original today. That's a monumental feat in its own right, and it's even more impressive that Orbitals is both fresh and fun. If you're tired of the typical fare, be sure to give this one a try when it releases on September 3.