Orbitals Review on Nintendo Switch 2
Orbitals is an imaginative two-player adventure with gorgeous retro anime visuals and clever co-op puzzles, my full review.
Orbitals brings a refreshing approach to cooperative gaming on Nintendo Switch 2, combining creative puzzle-solving, exciting space combat, and a striking visual style inspired by 1980s and 90s Japanese anime. Developed by Shapefarm, this two-player adventure places teamwork at the centre of the experience, encouraging players to communicate, experiment, and overcome challenges together. After spending about 10 hours exploring its colourful sci-fi universe, I left impressed by its imaginative presentation and fun co-op gameplay, even if some aspects of the adventure don't quite reach their full potential.
Orbitals Details
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch 2
Reviewed on: Nintendo Switch 2
Developer: Shapefarm
Publisher: Kepler Interactive
Genre: Cooperative action-adventure, puzzle-platformer
Available game modes: Two-player local and online co-op
ESRB Rating: E10+
Two Friends Against the Universe
The story follows two childhood friends, Maki and Omura, who live in a space settlement threatened by a mysterious Storm Wall. Their search for technology to save their home leads to strange creatures, abandoned facilities, and plenty of trouble.
Their chemistry carries the journey: enthusiastic Maki charges ahead while cautious Omura tries to keep things under control. I liked that their friendship, rather than constant bickering, anchors the adventure and gives the mission a reason to matter. The plot has heart, although its supporting cast deserves more development and the ending feels rushed. Saving the galaxy is easier when your best friend is along for the ride, even if they're also the problem.
Two Heads, One Plan
Orbitals is a two-player adventure first and a shooter second. Between puzzles, platforming, and bursts of spacecraft combat, its central rule is simple: neither player can do everything alone; carefully planned teamwork is the only way to succeed.
Gadgets galore
Orbitals keeps its cooperative puzzles fresh with a selection of gadgets you can access from the jump. These include the Scrap Hook, which moves objects, the Liquid Launcher, which cools machinery, and the Beam Cannon, which heats or activates equipment.
The right tool for the job
Each tool has a specific purpose, but the real satisfaction comes from combining their abilities. One player might reposition a structure while the other adjusts its temperature to clear a path. These clever interactions reward you for communication, experimentation, and teamwork, making puzzle-solving very satisfying.
A dual point of view
One design touch I like is that both players’ perspectives stay visible, even online, making coordination easier and showing exactly why your brilliant plan failed. I also enjoyed the spaceship sequences, where one person pilots and the other fires weapons, adding welcome bursts of excitement.
Bringing a friend along
Orbitals makes it easy to team up, whether you're playing locally or online. GameShare and the free Global Friend's Pass also offer more ways to bring someone into the adventure. I particularly enjoyed the moments when we had to work through a puzzle together, experimenting with different approaches until everything clicked. Some challenges are a little too straightforward, and I occasionally found myself fighting the camera when trying to line up a shot. Despite these frustrations, I still enjoyed how the game could shift from thoughtful puzzle-solving to fast-paced action, keeping the experience fresh throughout.
Graphics and performance
Visually, Orbitals is one of the year's most distinctive and dazzling games, conveying the charm of classic Japanese animation. Its playful character designs reminded me of Dragon Ball, while the gorgeous watercolour-style backgrounds and retro-futuristic machinery take cues from Akira and Cowboy Bebop. From the bold outlines to the expressive faces and hand-animated feel, every detail captures the '80s and '90s anime vibe. It's like stepping into a beautifully preserved Saturday morning cartoon. From crowded control rooms to asteroid fields, the world feels cohesive. Beautiful cinematics make gameplay feel like an extension of a forgotten anime. The presentation is polished, but two views can make details hard to read in handheld mode. I preferred playing docked, where the colourful environments and smaller visual cues have room to breathe.
Final Thoughts on Orbitals – A Journey Worth Sharing
Orbitals doesn't reinvent cooperative gaming, but its charming cast, inventive teamwork, and spectacular presentation give it its own identity. The puzzles could be tougher, the story more developed, and replayability stronger. Orbitals is easy to recommend, especially if you value shared laughs as much as challenging puzzles.
Orbitals Pros
+Gorgeous retro-anime visuals and expressive characters
+Creative co-op mechanics and accessible ways to play together
+Excellent soundtrack and energetic space action
Orbitals Cons
-Some puzzles feel too simple
-Occasional camera and aiming frustrations
-Rushed story moments
Orbitals Scoring
Category | Score |
Gameplay | 8/10 |
Graphics | 9/10 |
Sound | 9/10 |
Lasting Appeal / Replayability | 6/10 |
Orbitals Overall Rating 8/10 — 80%
Nintendo provided a copy of Orbitals to conduct this review.
About the Author - Matthew "Dapper Tux" Rondina
Matthew has been involved in all things gaming since the 8-bit era. He is a video game and tech industry veteran who has been passionate about technology and gaming for over 20 years. In addition to being the Managing Editor of dappertux.com, he has bylines with Best Buy, Cineplex Entertainment, Mobile Syrup and Walmart. Follow Matthew’s gaming + tech adventures on multiple social platforms with the handle @dapper_tux via X, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and join in on the fun!
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