Shapefarm and Kepler Interactive took the stage at The Game Awards 2025 to reveal Orbitals, a brand-new co-op sci-fi puzzle adventure launching exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. Developed from the ground up for asymmetrical multiplayer, Orbitals brings retro ’90s anime style to a heartfelt intergalactic story about teamwork, exploration, and cosmic danger.
Players can check out both the Japanese and English announcement trailers now.
Maki & Omura: An Unlikely Duo Saving Their Space Station
Orbitals follows two rookie explorers, Maki and Omura, who may have more enthusiasm than experience, but they’re determined to save their crumbling home station from an otherworldly cosmic storm. With each character equipped with their own tools and playstyle, players must rely on communication, coordination, and a whole lot of improvisation to survive the galaxy’s hazards.
Whether navigating debris fields in their tiny spacecraft or solving environment-based puzzles across strange worlds, the duo must literally combine their strengths to push forward.
Designed for Asymmetrical Co-Op on Switch 2
Orbitals is co-op-first. Shapefarm built the game around multiple ways to play with a partner:
- Local split-screen co-op using pairs of Joy-Con 2 controllers
- GameShare support, allowing a second local player to join using a nearby Switch 2 (or compatible Switch)
- Online co-op with built-in mic support through Switch 2’s new GameChat system
Regardless of playstyle, Orbitals aims to deliver a smooth, connected experience powered by Unreal Engine 5 and Switch 2’s upgraded hardware.
Retro Anime Brought to Life by Industry Veterans
One of Orbitals’ standout features is its devotion to ’90s anime aesthetics. Shapefarm’s Tokyo-based team infused every scene with expressive character designs, vibrant color palettes, and the warm emotional tone of classic OVAs.
To take that authenticity even further, the studio partnered with Studio Massket, a prolific Japanese animation house responsible for hundreds of beloved anime series. Their hand-drawn cutscenes help blur the line between playing a co-op game and watching an episode of a lost sci-fi classic.
Orbitals will include full Japanese and English voiceover, capturing the feel of a genuine retro anime production.
An Interstellar Co-Op Journey Begins Next Year
Orbitals releases exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, marking Shapefarm’s debut project and Kepler Interactive’s latest creative collaboration. With heartfelt characters, a nostalgic aesthetic, and innovative asymmetrical co-op, it’s shaping up to be one of Switch 2’s standout new experiences.
Players can follow updates at the official website.
