People are screaming for innovation in gaming more than ever before. There was a time when we leaned heavily on it, when we weren’t afraid of titles like Gitaroo Man and Vib-Ribbon. But lately, it’s become consumer friendly. I can understand why certain companies lean this way, yet I still feel that leaning on the imagination is never a bad thing. And, thank Pete, that’s exactly what the team at Undercoders and Fireshine Games do with the wild and wacky Denshattack.
You’ve heard about this one. You take control of a train and run wild through the streets, performing tricks and doing battles with mighty behemoths. The whole thing comes off like a fever dream from the Dreamcast glory days, as you bop along to a soundtrack while avoiding going off the rails.
The controls definitely take some getting used to. But once you find that groove, baby, does it stick with you. The game is a blast to play and the boss battles are second to none. Not to mention the sheer madness of the visual style and the soundtrack that accompanies it. And the campaign takes a while, too. This isn’t a quick ride through the city, but a trip you can enjoy for some time.
Again, it takes getting used to, and there’s a wee bit too much narrative for my taste. But when Denshattack gets rolling, there’s no stopping the train ride. It’s a bundle of joy that has no trouble staying the course, and its presentation assures that it’s a ride you won’t likely forget.
Denshattack Says, “C’mon Ride the Train, and Ride It!”
So, the world has turned to crap. Surprise! A climate crisis has pretty much ravaged things, though there are plenty of rails to go around. That’s where these gangs come in, using trains to get their message across. Emi is a person who wants to get in on the action, with her own specialty train on hand. It’s here that she starts to prove herself.
Of course, no journey is easy. Not only do you have to learn your way to Denshattack greatness, but you have to contend with rival gangs. Fortunately, Emi isn’t alone, as she makes a few friends along the way and even unlocks some cool customization items, along with neat collectibles.
The story in Denshattack is all right, but there are times it can be a bit of a grind. Fortunately, you can skip right to the action if you prefer – and does the game certainly have it.
It’s a combination of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater with a Japanese train simulator and some Jet Set Radio and Sonic the Hedgehog thrown in. You go fast, pull off tricks, execute track switches and try to avoid landing elsewhere. It’s easier said than done, as the controls take a slight bit of getting used to.
However, it won’t take long to “get it,” and soon you’ll be executing incredible high score runs and finding hidden exits to levels to unlock more stuff. It’s wildly addictive, and Denshattack benefits from the right kind of control scheme to make it work. Even drifting is different than you might expect – Ridge Racer, this ain’t – but it’s still so good.
Plus there’s a lot to do. Hidden pathways, alternate missions, and score challenges pop up left and right. This allows you to unlock even more stuff and truly conquer the game. There are plenty of missions to take on, adding to the longevity of the whole thing. This ain’t a quick romp through the city, it’s a journey.
I was quite pleased with my time playing Denshattack. Again, it does take some settling in, but it won’t be too long before you’re riding the rails and having a ball.
Denshattack’s Presentation May Make Your Brain Explode — In a Good Way
Anyone who’s played Jet Set Radio or Hi-Fi Rush knows the magic of having the right kind of presentation. And the team of Undercoders and Fireshine Games get things just right with Denshattack.
The visuals are a wild smorgasbord of cel-shaded cityscapes and wild, cartoon style action. It moves at an absolutely frenetic 60 FPS throughout the journey, to the point that you’ll be in awe in some places. The cities themselves look dazzling, even in their post-apocalyptic state; and the train itself seems like it pops to life. Not to mention the boss battles, which are eye-popping and will blow you away as you try to stay alive.
It helps to have a style that goes along with this. The story sequences may not be fully animated (though there are some inspired sequences), but it’s great seeing the faces that tie in with the train. There’s some good character work here, even if, again, they tend to talk a bit too much. Hey, who wouldn’t be boasting about what they can do with a train?
On top of all this, the soundtrack is wonderful. It doesn’t really have an array of licensed tunes, but instead generates original, groove-filled beats that you won’t get enough of. That, combined with solid voice work and thunderous sound effects, will certainly keep your ears busy.
With Denshattack, There’s No Doubt You’ll Eat Fresh
Minor squabbles aside – and I mean very minor – Denshattack stands as one of the most original and entertaining games of 2026. Every aspect of it screams creativity and imagination at a time when most developers wouldn’t even dare to tread the territory. Its controls, though a slight bit complex, are immense fun; and the presentation reminds us of a more easygoing time in gaming. Not to mention it’s wild as heck to watch.
With lots to do and insane train tricks to pull off, Denshattack is going to keep you busy. At long last, you can earn a train license and actually do something incredible with it. We’ll see you in school.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4.5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Fireshine Games for providing us with a review code! Denshattack is available now for Xbox, PlayStation,Nintendo Switch 2 and PC/Steam/Steam Deck!
