Orbitals Reviews

Orbitals is ranked in the 89th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals wears its co-op inspirations on its sleeve, but it still stands out with its gorgeous art and likable heroes.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

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TheSixthAxis
Dom Leighton
Top Critic
7 / 10
Sep 1, 2026

Stunningly beautiful in its recreation of 80s and 90s anime, Orbitals is a fun co-op adventure that doesn't quite match the best of the genre thanks to its more constrained gameplay.

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Gameblog
Top Critic
7 / 10
Sep 1, 2026

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Review in French | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals is a great bite-sized adventure that lures you in with nostalgic anime and then captures you with a wide variety of puzzle-solving gameplay.

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Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals is a fantastic game that uses its inspirations to the highest degree. The art design and aesthetic are a true triumph. Interlacing the cooperative video game genre with the themes of 80s and 90s mecha anime series is executed well.

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Press Start
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals is a brisk, enjoyable interstellar romp that will perhaps, at the end of the day, be more fondly remembered for its authentic approach to vintage Japanese animation than its ability to bring friends together. That's not to say it doesn't succeed as a co-op puzzler-it does-although I think it falls a hair short of its contemporaries in terms of chaotic creativity and scope.

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Gamersky
Top Critic
8.3 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals is visually distinctive and plays a lot like It Takes Two. While it still falls some way short of the genre's greats, it is nevertheless a very solid two-player co-op game.

Review in Chinese | Read full review

8 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals is a thoroughly enjoyable co-op adventure which, rather than constantly bombarding players with new mechanics, places greater emphasis on puzzles, communication and working together to find solutions. The gameplay is simpler and less varied than in It Takes Two or Split Fiction, but the ability to swap roles freely, the brilliant world design and the inventive use of the available tools mean that two players can have a really good time together. It’s just a shame that the adventure ends so quickly and doesn’t offer much in the way of replay value, as Shapefarm has created a very solid offering for fans of co-op games.

Review in Polish | Read full review

Cubed3
Top Critic
7 / 10
Sep 1, 2026

Playing Orbitals is like stepping into a classic anime, packed full of the soft tones and expressiveness of the era. With strong animation credentials and traditional processes behind the concept, there's a genuine heart and authenticity to this world. Clever co-operative play, fun set pieces and a curious mystery at the heart of the story tie this sci-fi tale together well. Slightly rushed and occasionally fiddly at times, but certainly worth blasting through to discover the fate of these new protagonists. Grab a friend, pop the TV on and live out those Saturday morning shows in style together.

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8 / 10
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals isn't interested in being purely an 80s anime tribute; instead, it aims to recreate the feeling of seeing a work of art for the first time and immersing in it, alongside a good friend. It's a multiplayer triumph in visuals and gameplay, but lacks a little in the story.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals is a split-screen multiplayer game that follows the structure of titles like It Takes Two and Split Fiction. With absurdly striking visuals reminiscent of 1980s anime, fun and accessible gameplay, and a campaign that leaves you wanting more, this is an excellent Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals is one of the most interesting cooperative experiences available on the Nintendo Switch 2. It doesn’t always match the narrative depth of the games that openly inspired it, but it makes up for it with imaginative puzzles, carefully crafted co-op gameplay, and exceptional art direction. Short but intensely enjoyable, Maki and Omura’s journey proves once again that the best cooperative adventures aren’t necessarily the ones with the hardest puzzles, but those that turn solving them into a shared memory.

Review in Italian | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals recaptures the magic of pure cooperative gaming on Nintendo Switch 2. With stunning visuals inspired by 80s anime and addictive gameplay, it is a charming, must-play space journey to share with a partner or friends.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8 / 10
Sep 1, 2026

Despite its late-game stumbles, Orbitals is an utter joy that captures the nostalgia and innocence of classic anime, turning it into an inventive, thoroughly enjoyable co-op adventure. With brilliant puzzles, a gorgeous setting, and lovable protagonists, Shapefarm has delivered a trip down memory lane worth taking. It’s a stacked month of releases, but if you’re a Switch 2 owner, this needs to be in your orbit. (Not proud of that one).

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85%
Sep 1, 2026

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Review in German | Read full review

Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals is a co-op adventure that knows exactly what it wants to be. Shapefarm has created a game that revolves entirely around playing together and has built nearly every mechanic around that concept.

Review in Dutch | Read full review

INVEN
Top Critic
8.9 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals' is a game defined by its retro-animation nostalgia and colorful co-op mechanics. The puzzles and platforming are fairly ordinary, but the fun of dividing roles and syncing timing makes up for it. It truly shines when played together with friends in the same room, revealing that the joy comes not from playing well, but from playing together.

Review in Korean | Read full review

91 / 100
Sep 1, 2026

Orbitals’ only suffering comes from its own success. It’s such a delight to play through and just exist in this world with Maki and Omura that I wish me and a friend could do it for much longer. However, what is here is a constant delight, extremely fun, and one of the Switch 2’s very best titles.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2026

It's just over six hours of extremely enjoyable co-op, presented like an anime we can control, and accompanied by one of the best soundtracks I've heard recently in a game of this type. It doesn't need to be the new Split Fiction. Being Orbitals already works quite well.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review