Non-coherent switching modes at room temperature have been observed using the Bitter figure technique in both `normal' and `inverted' cobalt films for reverse fields at angles from 0° to 90° to the easy axis. A critical angle is found in all films above which domain-wall motion is preceded by labyrinth switching, and this type of reversal has an upper limit determined by the anisotropy dispersion of the film. The designation of a film as `inverted' on the basis of H_c > H_K for magnetization reversal along the easy axis is found to be artificial, since all films are inverted within a certain angular sector, but they conform to the revised criterion for inversion, H_W/H_r > 1 and for normal behaviour H_W/H_r < 1 given by Methfessel, Middelhoek and Thomas in 1961.