Denshattack! is a purposefully bizarre game that works extremely well as an arcade-style romp, offering just enough challenge and depth to keep players coming back for more. Created by Spanish indie developer Undercoders and published by Fireshine Games, it launched on July 15, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, priced at £15.99.
A Dystopian Setting with a Silly Twist
The game takes place in a dystopian future Japan where climate collapse has forced society into air-conditioned bubble cities connected by high-speed trains. But the intro quickly dismisses this premise, urging players to instead enjoy kick-flipping a train car across derelict railway tracks. The protagonist, Emi, is a lowly ramen delivery driver who meets Fernando, an aspiring photographer who recognizes her potential as a Denshattacker—a daredevil capable of gravity-defying ollies and tricks with her battered train car. Emi travels across a climate-ravaged Japan, collecting allies like a deranged Pokémon trainer, with the goal of becoming the ultimate Denshattacker by defeating all rivals.
Gameplay: Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Meets the 9:50 to Liverpool Street
The gameplay is straightforward: each level is a course Emi must complete based on various objectives, such as finishing the run, attaining a certain score, knocking down buildings by crashing into them, or defeating enemies. Emi jumps across gaps in the track and avoids obstacles while performing tricks by rotating the joystick wildly mid-air. The game is mildly repetitive, but the developers change things up just enough to keep it entertaining. One moment Emi is delivering soba noodles, the next she's racing against rival gangs and knocking their cars off the tracks.
Each level is timed and scored based on tricks, dares (collectibles, scaring pigeons, breaking satellite dishes), and successful manoeuvres. Climbing the rankings for an elusive gold medal is addictive, but the controls are deceptively tricky. Mastering a course without flying off the tracks or hitting walls requires managing three or four buttons at once. New levels introduce gimmicks like switches unlocked by tricks, single rails to grind, and billboards to wall-run across. The laws of physics are more suggestion than rule—cornering requires precise braking, while tooting the horn, jumping, and performing tricks like finger ollies and 360° flips are all part of the chaos.
Forgiving and Expanding World
Denshattack is forgiving, expecting many crashes; going off the rails resets to a save point seconds earlier. As the game progresses, the world opens up with new mods. Emi can buy new railcars, collect stickers and designs to customise them, and contribute to Fernando's fanzine, which gains a new edition for each region. Onsens (hot springs) let Emi and her gang discuss tactics and backstory, though the plot is minimal. Each region ends with a boss battle that transcends train cars into pure silliness—mecha-men made of trains, baseball-themed encounters, monsters made of living castles, and magical rainbow railway tracks that appear after a certain trick score.
Bright, Sunny, and Addictive
The animation style is bright, colourful, and comic-book-like, perfectly suiting the absurdity. The game is resolutely sunny in outlook—Emi's friends consistently hype her up. As Fernando exclaims, 'This is the making of a legend!' Enemies are often swayed by kind words and a demonstration of Emi's skills. Denshattack is not deep or profound, but it offers an entertaining and addictive way to soak up a few hours without taking itself too seriously.
Verdict
Pros include inventive boss battles and level design that keeps things fresh despite potential repetitiveness, along with appropriately fun graphics and sound. Cons are controls that can seem overly complicated, not much variety in tricks, and a thin plot. Score: 7/10. Age Rating: 12.
