“Denshattack!” Review by Nick Navarro
Before long, I stopped asking whether “Denshattack!” was a ridiculous idea and started wondering why no one had thought of it sooner. A skateboarding-inspired action game where you perform kickflips, grinds, and aerial tricks… with a gravity-defying train? On paper, it sounds like the kind of pitch that exists solely to grab attention. In practice, though, it’s a surprisingly polished and addictive arcade experience that embraces its own absurdity while delivering gameplay that’s genuinely satisfying. Developed by Undercoders, “Denshattack!” throws you into a colorful dystopian version of Japan where the powerful Miraidō corporation has taken control of the nation’s railways. You step into the role of Emi, an aspiring Denshattacker who joins a growing group of rebels determined to reclaim the tracks from corporate control. Along the way, you’ll challenge rival gangs, make unexpected allies, and confront increasingly bizarre enemies in a journey that’s every bit as over-the-top as its premise suggests.
The story isn’t trying to be grounded or overly serious, and that’s one of its strengths. It confidently leans into its eccentric world, introducing everything from mecha magical girls to living castles and towering mechanical creatures without ever blinking. While the narrative serves mainly as a framework for the action, it gives the adventure plenty of personality and makes each new destination feel like another chapter in an increasingly unpredictable road trip across Japan. The real attraction here is the gameplay. “Denshattack!” borrows heavily from the flow and satisfaction of classic arcade skating games, replacing skateboards with customizable trains that launch off ramps, grind along rails, and chain together tricks for massive scores. The concept initially feels strange, but it doesn’t take long before it starts feeling completely natural. Pulling off a perfectly timed landing after launching through the air while maintaining your combo creates the same rewarding sense of momentum that has made score-chasing games so enjoyable for years.
The controls deserve a lot of credit here. While there is definitely a learning curve, they remain approachable enough that I never felt overwhelmed. Timing jumps correctly, balancing tricks, and maintaining speed all require practice, especially during the opening hours when every mistake feels costly. As I became more comfortable with how my train handled, though, the entire experience began to flow naturally. That moment where everything finally clicks is incredibly rewarding, transforming stages that once felt chaotic into playgrounds where every rail and jump becomes another opportunity to extend a combo. Progression reinforces that feeling nicely. As Emi travels through locations inspired by Kyushu, Osaka, Tokyo, Hokkaido, and even stranger destinations beyond, every region introduces fresh mechanics, environmental hazards, and increasingly creative level designs. The game rarely settles into repetition because it constantly asks you to adapt to something new. Each area has its own personality, keeping the adventure engaging from beginning to end.
Boss encounters are another highlight. Rather than simply acting as obstacles, these larger-than-life battles fully embrace the game’s wonderfully bizarre imagination. Every encounter escalates the spectacle, challenging everything you’ve learned about movement and trick execution while delivering some genuinely memorable set pieces. They’re unpredictable in the best possible way and fit perfectly within the game’s delightfully chaotic tone. Visually, “Denshattack!” bursts with color. Its vibrant anime-inspired aesthetic gives every environment an energetic identity, making the world feel alive even when the action becomes overwhelming. The downside is that the presentation occasionally works against the gameplay. Between the bright visual effects, rapid movement, and densely packed environments, it can sometimes be difficult to immediately recognize hazards or anticipate what’s coming next. Several tracks almost demand memorization because reading them perfectly on a first attempt can be extremely challenging.
That issue extends to some of the level layouts themselves. Certain courses throw so much at you so quickly that early runs can feel less about skill and more about simply surviving long enough to understand what’s happening. While repeated attempts gradually solve that problem, those first impressions may frustrate some gamers hoping for smoother sight-reading. Thankfully, the game is designed around replayability, so revisiting stages becomes part of the intended experience rather than a punishment. Fortunately, replaying levels remains enjoyable thanks to the wealth of challenges, medals, and score objectives available throughout the campaign. Players who enjoy chasing high scores, perfecting routes, and completing every checklist item will find plenty of reasons to revisit earlier stages. Each successful run becomes an opportunity to improve execution, optimize trick chains, and squeeze out a few more points. That arcade mentality gives the game surprising longevity well beyond simply reaching the credits.
The soundtrack complements that replay loop exceptionally well. Relaxed electronic beats and energetic tracks keep the momentum going without becoming distracting, perfectly matching the game’s fast-paced rhythm. Whether I was soaring through futuristic cityscapes or grinding across countryside tracks, the music consistently helped reinforce the feeling of speed and style. What impressed me most about “Denshattack!” is how committed it is to its unusual identity. It never tries to explain away its ridiculous concept or tone things down to appear more conventional. Instead, Undercoders fully embraces every strange idea and somehow molds them into a cohesive experience that feels unlike anything else I’ve played recently. Beneath the outrageous premise lies a carefully designed arcade game with satisfying mechanics, rewarding progression, and enough challenge to keep players improving long after they’ve learned the basics.
“Denshattack!” certainly won’t be for everyone. Its bizarre story, visually intense presentation, and demanding track design can occasionally make the experience feel overwhelming, especially during those early hours when everything is happening at once. But if you’re willing to stick with its learning curve, there’s an incredibly entertaining game waiting underneath the chaos. It’s imaginative, mechanically rewarding, and consistently fun. It’s a reminder that sometimes the wildest ideas can produce some of the most memorable experiences.
8.5/10
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Related: Nick Navarro Reviews
Gaming since I was given an original Nintendo as a kid. I love great storytelling and unique ingenuity. When both collide in a single game, I'm a happy gamer. Twitter/IG @NickNavarro87
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