Publisher Kepler Interactive and Tokyo-based developer Shapefarm have officially pulled back the curtain on Orbitals, a cooperative puzzle-action odyssey that radiates the nostalgic energy of classic animation. Slated for a 2026 debut, the title has been confirmed as a dedicated exclusive for Nintendo’s next-generation hardware, the Switch 2.
Drawing deep inspiration from the aesthetic hallmarks of legendary 1990s series like Neon Genesis Evangelion and Cowboy Bebop, Orbitals follows the journey of Maki and Omura. This inseparable duo must traverse the vacuum of space to protect their deteriorating orbital sanctuary from the encroaching threat of a supernatural cosmic tempest.
Witness the debut trailer for Orbitals below:
“Whether it’s by utilizing specialized tools to clear a path, navigating a starship through lethal asteroid belts, or simply pausing to absorb the lush, hand-painted atmosphere, players will set out on an intergalactic trek that defines the strength of their partnership,” the developers noted in a recent announcement.
Leveraging the power of Unreal Engine 5, Orbitals is being built from the ground up to take advantage of the Switch 2’s specific hardware features. The game will support local split-screen play using two pairs of Joy-Con 2 controllers on a single device. Additionally, thanks to Nintendo’s GameShare feature, players can enjoy cooperative play across separate consoles locally or connect via online matchmaking for remote sessions.
Explore the vibrant world of Orbitals in the gallery below:
To ensure the cinematic sequences maintain a high level of animation pedigree, Shapefarm has collaborated with Studio Massket. The acclaimed anime house, known for its work on Lycoris Recoil, Blue Lock, and Sasaki and Miyano, is producing handcrafted cutscenes designed to merge the game’s interactive segments and narrative beats seamlessly.
Orbitals is scheduled to launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026.
Does the retro-anime aesthetic of Orbitals pique your interest? Share your thoughts on this upcoming Switch 2 exclusive in the comments!
