Orbitals: Anime-Inspired Co-op Game Previewed at Summer Game Fest

I’ve loved anime since the Toonami and early Adult Swim days, so certain aesthetics will always elicit a melancholy nostalgia that reminds me of late nights and VCRs.

This feeling overcame me when I played the ‘80s and ‘90s anime-inspired Orbitals for the first time, which perfectly emulated old animation styles reminiscent of Dragon Ball and Ranma ½. Orbitals is a two-player co-op game where players explore a ship in third-person view with cel-shaded graphics and engaging gameplay mechanics.

The tasks in Orbitals are varied and unique, allowing players to choose their roles for each challenge. The game features puzzles, mini-games, and collaborative gameplay elements that require communication and quick thinking to overcome obstacles.

Developed by Shapefarm, Orbitals aims to deliver a retro anime experience for two players. With talent from games like A Way Out and It Takes Two behind it, the game promises a unique co-op experience. Orbitals is set to release exclusively on the Nintendo Switch 2 on September 3, 2026, offering split-screen couch co-op and Gameshare functionality for online play.