Shapefarm and Kepler Interactive have confirmed that Orbitals will launch with a free Global Friend’s Pass, allowing a second player to experience the entire game without purchasing their own copy.
Available as a free download on the Nintendo eShop from September 3, the Global Friend’s Pass app lets one player join another who owns Orbitals. The game owner simply sends an invitation, allowing the second player to play through the full adventure at no additional cost.
The app also includes a free local co-op demo featuring the opening chapter of the game. Players can try the demo together on a Nintendo Switch 2 before deciding whether to purchase the full release.
Alongside the Global Friend’s Pass, Orbitals supports several ways to play cooperatively.
Local co-op requires a single Nintendo Switch 2 system, one copy of the game and two controllers. Local GameShare extends support to compatible original Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED systems.
Players with two Nintendo Switch 2 consoles can also use Online GameShare through GameChat, with only one person needing to own the game. Alternatively, online play supports both players using owned copies or one player joining through the Global Friend’s Pass application.
Orbitals launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on September 3, 2026. Developed by Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive, the co-operative puzzle adventure follows space explorers Maki and Omura as they work together to save their station from a destructive cosmic storm using asymmetrical gameplay mechanics.
