’80s Anime-Inspired Split-Fiction Game for Switch 2 Gets Official Release Date

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<p>Fans eager for the next wave of high-energy co-op experiences won’t have to wait much longer. During Tuesday's Nintendo Direct broadcast, developer Shapefarm officially announced that their upcoming title, <em>Orbitals</em>, is slated for a September 3 release as an exclusive for the Nintendo Switch 2.</p>

<p>The latest trailer offers a deeper look at the game’s cooperative mechanics, where players must synchronize their efforts to overcome challenging stages and master rhythmic minigames. Thanks to the console's GameShare feature, you can team up locally across two different Nintendo Switch 2 units. Notably, the footage also demonstrated cross-generation compatibility, showing the game running seamlessly on an original Nintendo Switch via GameShare.</p>

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<p>In <em>Orbitals</em>, players step into the shoes of space pioneers navigating a perilous cosmic storm to rescue their orbital home. The design philosophy draws clear inspiration from Hazelight’s acclaimed hits like <em>It Takes Two</em> and <em>Split Fiction</em>, though with a distinct creative twist. "I aim to capture the core spirit of those cooperative experiences while crafting something entirely original that offers a fresh perspective," director Jakob Lundgren shared with Polygon regarding his background at Hazelight and how it shaped <em>Orbitals</em>.</p>

<p>First teased at last year's The Game Awards, <em>Orbitals</em> quickly emerged as one of our most anticipated titles for 2026. While it made a compelling impression during February's Nintendo Switch 2 Partner Showcase, this latest presentation finally provides the launch date fans have been waiting for.</p>

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<p>Prepare your controllers—<em>Orbitals</em> arrives on September 3.</p>

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Source: Polygon