Anime-inspired co-op title Orbitals has confirmed all of the different ways you'll be able to play the Switch 2 game in co-op, with a free friend's pass confirmed for launch.
Orbitals is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year for many, and despite September getting ready to be the pre-GTA 6 armageddon where every game under the sun is releasing, it's certainly one of the standouts. The anime-style adventure looks so visually striking it was immediately on my radar, but with it being co-op, it throws into question how I'll be playing it. Thankfully developer Shapefarm has laid everything out.
Over on Twitter, the official Orbitals account reveals all the myriad ways you'll be able to experience this co-op focused adventure. First, and most obviously, you'll be able to play Orbitals in couch co-op with you and whoever is within your immediate vicinity. But even if your co-op partner is away or… not wanting to play on the same console, for whatever reason, Shapefarm's new game has you covered.
We're super excited to confirm that Orbitals will have a Global Friend's Pass available on release, which includes a free local co-op demo!! 💖Orbitals is built from the ground up for two players, so here are the different ways you and a friend can team up in Orbitals together!… pic.twitter.com/1suywGnz7HJuly 29, 2026
GameShare is available both locally and through Nintendo Switch Online, allowing someone to join the person who bought the game via the power of wireless communications. However, the local play version has the added benefit of allowing players on the original Nintendo Switch to join you via GameShare co-op.
Meanwhile, if you're dedicated to making sure the GameChat button on your Switch 2 is never pressed, there is another way to let your friends play for free. Just like the Hazelight co-op games that inspired it (although given that Orbitals co-director Jakob Lundgren worked on those, maybe that isn't the right word), Orbitals will let the second player download a "Global Friend's Pass" to join you, right from launch. Plus, if you're unsure, the friend pass app will feature a local co-op demo to allow you to dip your toes in space.
If you've already pre-ordered your copy of Orbitals, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, the best Nintendo Switch headsets, and the best Nintendo Switch 2 cases to aid you on your upcoming anime co-op adventure.
