{"id":9158,"date":"2026-09-03T04:22:35","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T20:22:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/orbitals-switch-2-reviews-out-now-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-09-03T04:22:35","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T20:22:35","slug":"orbitals-switch-2-reviews-out-now-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/orbitals-switch-2-reviews-out-now-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Orbitals Is Out on Switch 2 \u2014 Critics Score Anime Co-Op Game 81 on Metacritic"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Orbitals is live on Nintendo Switch 2 today \u2014 and the critical consensus is in. Tokyo-based developer <a href=\"https:\/\/kepler-interactive.com\/games\/orbitals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Shapefarm<\/a>, published by <a href=\"https:\/\/kepler-interactive.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kepler Interactive<\/a>, launched the asymmetric co-op adventure on 3 September with an <strong>81 on Metacritic<\/strong> (56 reviews) and an <strong>83 on OpenCritic<\/strong>, with 95% of critics recommending it. As we covered <a href=\"\/blog\/orbitals-switch-2-september-2026\/\">when the game was first announced<\/a>, this is one of Switch 2&#8217;s most distinctive-looking exclusives of the year \u2014 and you can download it right now.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/orbitals-splitscreen-coop.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Orbitals \u2014 split-screen co-op gameplay showing both players navigating a cave area with energy cables\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Shapefarm \/ Kepler Interactive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>What the Orbitals Reviews Say<\/h2>\n<p>The praise is concentrated on the game&#8217;s puzzle design, its distinctive 1980s-anime aesthetic, and a co-op structure that keeps both players genuinely busy at all times:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nintendolife.com\/reviews\/nintendo-switch-2\/orbitals\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Nintendo Life (9\/10):<\/strong><\/a> &#8220;The puzzles last just the right amount of time, with consistently delightful and clever ways the tools were utilized.&#8221;<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.forbes.com\/sites\/mattgardner1\/2026\/09\/01\/orbitals-review-switch-2-a-stunning-co-op-masterpiece\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Forbes:<\/strong><\/a> &#8220;Will leave you satisfied and stunned like a bumper anime movie at its very best.&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Gaming Boulevard and Gaming Trend both awarded the game 95\/100, praising its inventive cooperative design. Eurogamer (3\/5) and Final Weapon (2.5\/5) were less convinced \u2014 pointing to pacing that occasionally stutters and puzzle areas that don&#8217;t always match the game&#8217;s ambitions. The majority of critics land clearly in the positive, though.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gt-video\">\n<div style=\"position:relative;padding-bottom:56.25%;height:0;overflow:hidden;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/cGWsWOrN-g4\" title=\"Orbitals \u2013 Gameplay Reveal Trailer \u2013 Nintendo Switch 2\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;border:0;\" allow=\"accelerometer;clipboard-write;encrypted-media;gyroscope;picture-in-picture;web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div><figcaption>Orbitals \u2013 Gameplay Reveal Trailer \u2013 Nintendo Switch 2 \u2014 via Nintendo of America on YouTube<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/orbitals-ship-action.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Orbitals \u2014 a character navigating space with sweeping yellow energy trails during a high-speed sequence\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Shapefarm \/ Kepler Interactive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>What Is Orbitals \u2014 A Quick Recap<\/h2>\n<p>Orbitals is a <strong>strict two-player asymmetric co-op adventure<\/strong>. You and a partner each play one of two space explorers \u2014 Maki and Omura \u2014 working together to save their crumbling home station from a supernatural cosmic storm. Each player sees a different section of the stage on a split screen and controls different tools; nothing works without both players acting in tandem. The entire game is built around that forced cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>Cutscenes were produced by Tokyo animation house Studio Massket, with hand-crafted animation evoking the warmth of classic 1980s\u201390s anime. The cast includes voice actors from <em>Street Fighter<\/em> and <em>Fire Emblem<\/em>, with full voice acting in English, Japanese, and ten other languages.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/orbitals-environment-cave.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Orbitals \u2014 split-screen boss fight in a vivid space environment against a large mechanical enemy\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Shapefarm \/ Kepler Interactive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>How to Get Orbitals on Your Switch 2<\/h2>\n<p>Orbitals is <strong>US$39.99<\/strong> on the Nintendo eShop, with a <strong>free demo<\/strong> available if you want to try before you commit. A Deluxe Upgrade Pack DLC is available separately at US$14.99. A physical edition is also confirmed for those who prefer a cartridge.<\/p>\n<p>Co-op works several ways: local split-screen on one Switch 2 using two pairs of Joy-Con 2, online multiplayer via Nintendo Switch Online, or via <strong>GameShare<\/strong> \u2014 one Switch 2 owner can invite a friend on a compatible Switch or Switch 2 device without that friend needing to own a copy of the game. That last option is especially handy for local play sessions where only one of you has picked it up.<\/p>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/orbitals-coop-action-2.jpg?w=474&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Orbitals \u2014 both players using red beam tools to solve a puzzle in an orange industrial cave\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\"><figcaption>Image courtesy of Shapefarm \/ Kepler Interactive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For more <a href=\"\/blog\/category\/game-news\/\">Switch 2 game releases and gaming news<\/a>, we&#8217;ve been tracking the full September lineup \u2014 it&#8217;s a stacked month.<\/p>\n<p><!--GT-SCOUT source=\"Web (English)\" theme=\"Video games\" flags=\"none\"--><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Orbitals launches today on Nintendo Switch 2 \u2014 an anime-style asymmetric co-op game from Shapefarm and Kepler Interactive. Reviews score it 81 on Metacritic, 83 on OpenCritic, with 95% of critics recommending it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":9153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":[]},"categories":[11],"tags":[1465,1466,1080,45],"class_list":["post-9158","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-game-news","tag-co-op-games","tag-game-reviews","tag-kepler-interactive","tag-nintendo-switch-2"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/orbitals-mech-battle.jpg?fit=1920%2C1080&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p13AlF-2nI","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7267,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/orbitals-switch-2-september-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":9158,"position":0},"title":"Orbitals Switch 2 Launches 3 September \u2014 Anime Co-Op Game","date":"August 6, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Orbitals, a Switch 2-exclusive retro anime co-op adventure from Kepler Interactive, launches 3 September with a free Friend's Pass for your co-op partner.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/orbt_791841ca21fd7.jpg?fit=445%2C245&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6259,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/splatoon-raiders-review-scores-metacritic-july-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":9158,"position":1},"title":"Splatoon Raiders Reviews Are In \u2014 81 on Metacritic as It Launches Tomorrow","date":"July 22, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Splatoon Raiders review scores are live: 81 on Metacritic, 80 on OpenCritic, 71% critic recommendation. 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Critics are calling it a technical marvel \u2014 here's every score, what's included, and what Singapore players need to know.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/elden-ring-tarnished-erdtree-vista.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":6270,"url":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/avatar-legends-fighting-game-out-now-review-scores-2026\/","url_meta":{"origin":9158,"position":3},"title":"Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game Is Out Now \u2014 Critics Give It an 81 on Metacritic","date":"July 23, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game is live today on PS5, Switch 2 and Steam. 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Here's how critics scored it and where to buy in Singapore.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Game News&quot;","img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mgs-master-collection-vol2-featured.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9158"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9158"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9158\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9153"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9158"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9158"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gametrader.sg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9158"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}