Switch 2 is Getting a New Co-Op Game That Has Serious It Takes Two Vibes

An upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive called Orbitals looks like something fans of It Takes Two and Split Fiction should keep an eye on, with the game set to arrive on the console soon. Orbitals was first announced for the Nintendo Switch 2 in December of last year, alongside a short trailer that revealed very little about the experience.

It is being developed by Tokyo-based studio Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive. While Shapefarm appears to be a newly formed team, Kepler Interactive is a familiar name with several successful projects under its belt, including Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Whether the developer’s fresh ideas and the publisher’s experience will come together for a solid release remains to be seen. For now, one thing is clear: fans are already drawn to Orbitals‘ visuals and the newly revealed gameplay sneak peek.

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Orbitals’ Gameplay Gives Off Strong It Takes Two and Split Fiction Vibes

The latest trailer from February’s Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase highlights Orbitals‘ two protagonists, Maki and Omura, working together. Even from this brief look, it’s easy to see why the upcoming Switch 2 exclusive will click with fans of It Takes Two and Split Fiction. In the footage, Maki and Omura use different tools to solve puzzles and help each other navigate platforms, which sits at the core of both It Takes Two and Split Fiction.

Gadgets seem to play a key role in the gameplay: players will have access to a grappling hook-style tool called the Scraphook to move or bend objects, a water-based Liquid Launcher to activate mechanisms or cool down overheated areas, and a fire-powered Beam Cannon that can destroy obstacles or open new routes. But these don’t appear to be the only devices they will unlock.

One standout moment shows the two characters combining their tools to clear a path, with one melting an iron bar while the other bends it at the same time using the grappling hook. These kinds of coordinated actions appear to form the backbone of Orbitals, with similar cooperative moments popping up throughout the trailer.

Fans Are Praising Orbitals Retro Anime Style

Since its initial reveal in 2025, Orbitals‘ visuals and overall aesthetic have drawn comparisons to well-known anime like Cowboy Bebop. Many fans feel developer Shapefarm has done a great job capturing that same retro 2D feel within a 3D world. Some have even likened the game’s cinematics to the work of Akira Toriyama, the legendary manga artist behind the Dragon Ball series.

Orbitals Tells an Intergalactic Story

Fans have also gotten a first look at Orbitals‘ story setup. Maki and Omura are survivors of a catastrophic cosmic storm that struck 15 years ago. Now warned that the same threat could erase their world, they set off on a space mission to stop the looming supernatural disaster. Like many story-driven co-op games, the dangerous journey will likely draw the two protagonists closer. Still, the nature of their relationship remains unclear, and how their bond evolves over the course of the story has yet to be revealed.

Orbitals Features Pets and Mini-Games

The latest trailer also teases several side activities beyond platforming. In one moment, Maki and Omura are shown playing instruments, followed by a scene where they sit down to play a video game together. These moments will likely appear as optional mini-games that players can jump into between more intense missions.

Fans who enjoy pets in games will also have something to look forward to. Orbitals features a handful of adorable space creatures that players can pet. So far, the trailer has shown a cat-like companion and another creature resembling a pig-dog hybrid, with more unusual lifeforms likely waiting to be discovered.

The Wait for Orbitals Won’t Be Long

orbitals co-op game player controls ship, other controls turret

Orbitals‘ latest trailer closed with a pleasant surprise. The Switch 2 exclusive is set to arrive on the Nintendo eShop this summer. For now, the game does not appear to have a dedicated eShop page. Fans interested in staying up to date are encouraged to follow Orbitals‘ official social media accounts for future updates on development and the exact release date.