Orbitals
News, coverage and analysis tracking Orbitals across the outlets.
Latest coverage
This Week in Switch 2 - Nintendo Direct reaction and analysis
This Week in Switch 2 breaks down the recent Nintendo Direct, offering reactions and analysis from the Shacknews staff. The podcast also discusses impressions of the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware and operating system, with a review to follow.
Snabbkollen: Köper du nya Ocarina of Time?
Nintendo has announced a remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, set to release on November 7th for the Nintendo Switch. The article also features reviews for "The Blood of Dawnwalker," "Star Wars Zero Company," and "Mortal Shell 2," alongside news about "Valheim," "Orbitals," and "Justin Wack and the Big Time Hack."
FZ Play trotsar rymdstormen i Orbitals
The article previews Orbitals, a two-player cooperative puzzle platformer set on a decaying space station during a cosmic storm. The game emphasizes collaboration with puzzles and challenges requiring both players to succeed, featuring a distinct retro-futuristic art style inspired by 80s and 90s Japanese anime.
UK software sales chart for the week ending September 5, 2026 – Onimusha, Orbitals debut
The UK software sales chart for the week ending September 5, 2026, shows Onimusha: Way of the Sword debuting at #2 with 87% of sales on PlayStation 5. The Nintendo Switch exclusive Orbitals launched at #3. The Blood of Dawnwalker took the top spot.
Recension – Recension: Orbitals bär sitt anime-hjärta från 90-talet till en succé för två
Orbitals is a co-op adventure game for the Nintendo Switch 2, developed by Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive. It successfully captures the 80s and 90s anime aesthetic with vibrant colors and pop-inspired sound effects. The game features two protagonists, Omu and Maki, and requires cooperative puzzle-solving and gameplay, drawing comparisons to Hazelight Studios' titles like It Takes Two and Split Fiction.
Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts – September 6, 2026 – Orbitals takes down Elden Ring
The Nintendo Switch 2 eShop charts for September 6, 2026, show Orbitals taking the top spot, dethroning Elden Ring. New releases like Onimusha: Way of the Sword and NBA 2K27 also entered the top rankings.
[Let’s Talk] What are you playing? – September 2026
This article asks readers what games they are playing in September 2026. It highlights new releases like the Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive Orbitals, alongside established titles such as Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Elden Ring, and Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2.
Fall’s Video Game Release Slate Is Intimidatingly Good And Completely Doomed
The Fall 2026 video game release schedule is packed with highly anticipated titles, but this glut is predicted to cause a 'bloodbath' in the industry. Intense competition for consumer dollars and a worsening global economy are expected to lead to significant underperformance, layoffs, and potential studio closures, particularly for smaller developers. Even major publishers may struggle to navigate the crowded market, with few likely to emerge unscathed.
Famitsu review scores – September 5, 2026 – Orbitals, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, more
Famitsu has released its review scores for the week of August 23, 2026, with Orbitals receiving the highest score of 35/40. Onimusha: Way of the Sword followed closely with 34/40. The reviews highlight detailed anime aesthetics, engaging puzzle-solving, and satisfying combat mechanics across the featured titles.
Betawatch: ArcheAge Chronicles plans a network test for next weekend
ArcheAge Chronicles is planning a network test for September 12th, continuing its development journey. The article also rounds up other MMO news, including updates on Guild Wars 3, Farhaven, and Aion 2, alongside a lengthy list of games currently in various stages of testing and development.
Orbitals is a gorgeous anime throwback, but I've had a tough time enjoying its mandatory co-op
Orbitals is a visually stunning game with a strong anime aesthetic, but its mandatory co-op requirement presents a significant barrier to enjoyment for players without a compatible partner. The game's design, while appealing artistically, demands a level of coordination that can be difficult for casual players or those with less gaming experience to meet.
Nintendo Download – September 3, 2026 (North America) – Orbitals, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, more
The North American Nintendo Download for the week of September 3, 2026, features new releases on the Nintendo eShop including Orbitals and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The report also details upcoming titles for the Nintendo Switch 2 and ongoing sales events.
Orbitals launch trailer – retro anime-inspired co-op game releases exclusives on Nintendo Switch 2
Orbitals, a retro anime-inspired co-op game from Shapefarm and Kepler Interactive, has launched exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. The game features asymmetric co-op gameplay where players control Maki and Omura to save their space station. A free Global Friend's Pass app is available for local multiplayer demos.
This Week in Switch 2 - Pokemon Worlds + Orbitals & Onimusha: Way of the Sword reviews
This Week in Switch 2 covers Donovan's impressions from Pokémon Worlds 2026 and TJ's reviews of Orbitals and Onimusha: Way of the Sword. The podcast also discusses the Grand Theft Auto 6 extended gameplay reveal and shares general thoughts on the Nintendo Switch 2.
Evening Reading - September 1, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading from Shacknews covers various gaming news items, including Square Enix denying reports of going private, Bit Reactor furloughing Star Wars Zero Company developers, and a Street Fighter movie promo shoot controversy. It also highlights upcoming game releases and updates like Nopixel 5's beta, and mentions a review for Orbitals.
Orbitals Review
Orbitals is a co-op adventure game that successfully captures the feel of a playable '90s anime. The game offers an engaging experience for players looking for a cooperative title with a distinct aesthetic.
FZ Play ISK #6 - Justin Wack and the Big Time Hack
Indiespelklubben will feature the point-and-click adventure game Justin Wack and the Big Time Hack on September 1st, with developer Pontus Wittenmark joining the stream. The game is described as having bright colors, charming animations, and humorous puzzles reminiscent of classic Sierra and LucasArts titles, but with its own unique narrative.
Orbitals Review – An anime-zing adventure
Orbitals is a co-op puzzle-platformer that serves as a beautiful homage to 20th-century anime, featuring faithful animation, a strong soundtrack, and excellent voice acting. Players control siblings Maki and Omura, working together to solve clever puzzles and navigate space to save their colony. Despite minor issues with checkpoint frequency and online play, the game is a joyful and polished adventure.
Orbitals review: We walk together, we fly together
Orbitals is a charming co-op splitscreen platformer with a retro anime-style sci-fi adventure, developed by Shapefarm. Players control Maki and Omura as they scavenge a broken space station to find parts to escape, utilizing unique tools and coordinating ship maintenance and piloting. Despite occasional camera issues and momentum-based puzzle frustrations, the game offers a heartwarming experience with solid voice acting and a forgiving checkpoint system.
Orbitals review - gorgeous anime stylings from breakaway It Takes Two devs only make for a lesser light of the co-op renaissance
Orbitals, a co-op puzzle platformer from former It Takes Two developers, features gorgeous anime stylings and charming characters but ultimately falls short of its inspirations. While the game's presentation and character interactions are endearing, its core gameplay mechanics and narrative feel derivative and lack memorable moments, making it a lesser entry in the co-op genre.
