In a recent interview with Crunchyroll, Marcos Ramos, creative director of the upcoming game Orbitals, confirmed that the title draws significant inspiration from two iconic anime franchises: Dragon Ball and Neon Genesis Evangelion. Speaking about the game’s aesthetic and narrative direction, Ramos highlighted how the early era of Dragon Ball, particularly when Goku was a child, influenced the game’s tone and visual style, although Evangelion contributed to its deeper thematic undertones and character-driven storytelling.
Ramos emphasized that despite the game’s distinctly retro anime-inspired visuals, which have drawn attention for their fidelity to 1980s and 1990s animation styles, no generative artificial intelligence was used in the development process. He stated unequivocally that both he and the development team are committed to traditional, handcrafted methods, saying, “personally and company-wide, we don’t use any kind of generative AI,” and added that the team takes pride in “getting our hands dirty” to create authentic artwork.
The game, described as a two-player cooperative adventure, follows the characters Maki and Omura as they embark on a mission to save their home from a looming cosmic threat. Set for release on Nintendo Switch 2 later in 2026, Orbitals aims to deliver an intergalactic experience rooted in the emotional resonance and visual grandeur of classic anime, while maintaining a modern co-op gameplay structure.
Beyond Dragon Ball and Evangelion, Ramos also cited Sailor Moon and Bubblegum Crisis as additional influences, particularly in shaping the game’s character dynamics and atmospheric presentation. These references underscore the developers’ intention to craft a love letter to the anime of past decades, blending nostalgic appeal with original storytelling.
Orbitals has been positioned as a passion project that avoids reliance on AI-assisted tools, instead prioritizing manual artistry and design. This stance addresses growing concerns among players about the use of generative AI in game development, especially in titles with highly stylized visuals. By affirming their commitment to human-led creation, the developers aim to build trust with audiences who value artistic integrity in indie and mid-tier game production.
The game’s announcement and subsequent promotional materials, including a recent gameplay trailer, have generated interest within retro gaming and anime fan communities. Its exclusive launch on Nintendo Switch 2 marks it as one of the early titles to highlight the capabilities of the new platform while appealing to fans of cooperative gameplay and narrative-driven design.
As development progresses toward its summer 2026 release window, Orbitals continues to be highlighted for its clear artistic influences and transparent development ethos. The team’s openness about their inspirations and rejection of AI tools reflects a broader conversation in the gaming industry about creativity, authenticity, and the role of technology in artistic expression.
For updates on Orbitals, including release date confirmation and further details on gameplay mechanics, players are encouraged to follow official announcements from the developers and Nintendo’s upcoming software lineup for Switch 2.