Orbitals gets a September 3 release date as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive

Indie developer Shapefarm revealed during Tuesday's Nintendo Direct that Orbitals is launching September 3 as a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive. It's been on the radar of co-op fans ever since it drew comparisons to Hazelight's work.

The new release date trailer shows off more of the co-op gameplay: two players work together to clear levels and tackle rhythm minigames. Orbitals supports local co-op across two separate Nintendo Switch 2 consoles via GameShare, and the trailer even shows it running on an original Nintendo Switch through the same feature. The game's setup has two space explorers fighting through a cosmic storm to save their home space station.

Shapefarm has been upfront about the Hazelight influence — the studio says it's aiming to bring the same design philosophy that made It Takes Two and Split Fiction click. The retro anime visual style gives Orbitals its own identity in what's shaping up to be a crowded co-op space.