Train-Skating Redefined
Denshattack! PS5 Reviews Celebrate High-Speed Train Skating Blending Skateboarding and Jet Set Radio
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Key Points
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Denshattack! features an expansive roster of trains—over 30 in total—each with distinct pros and cons that influence core gameplay elements like speed, tricks, points earned, grinds, and manuals.
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The protagonist, Emi Araki, is introduced as a ramen-delivery driver navigating a Japan reshaped by climate crisis, with the narrative pitting her against the Miraidō corporation within a domed, dystopian setting.
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Campaign structure emphasizes a long, largely linear progression across varied biomes of a post-crisis Japan, featuring defined end goals, time/score targets, and hidden tasks called dares that affect ranking.
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The game integrates collectibles and upgrade mechanics—such as spray cans and gears—into stage progression, providing additional ways to improve ranks beyond simply finishing courses.
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Denshattack! includes a launch discount and retail flexibility, with a Fanatical Steam key offered at a promotional price (around $13.59), indicating accessible post-launch pricing.
Denshattack! has arrived on PS5 to strong reviews, with critics calling it a chaotic, thrilling ride that blends skateboarding tricks with high-speed train action. The game puts players in control of a train hurtling through a stylized, post-apocalyptic Japan — chaining drifts, jumps, and grinds to rack up points and reach stage goals. Insider Gaming called it an "incredible game," while PSU praised it as "surfing the subway in style."
Developed by Undercoders, Denshattack! is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. A Fanatical Steam key is available for around $13.59 at launch, making it one of the more accessible new arcade titles of the year.
Jet Set Radio Meets Tony Hawk on a Train
Reviewers have been quick to draw comparisons to classic arcade games. PC Gamer noted the game's cel-shaded art style channels Jet Set Radio, while its trick and challenge system echoes Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Gamer Matters called it a mix of "high-speed platformer, action sports, and rhythm game" — all packed into short, punchy gameplay chunks.
Despite the familiar inspirations, Denshattack! carves its own space. The cel-shaded visuals, eclectic soundtrack, and over-the-top Japanese flair give it a distinct identity. PSU highlighted how the game lets players control a train through obstacle courses in ways that feel fresh and inventive, not derivative.
Over 30 Trains, Dares, and a Ramen-Delivery Hero
The game's protagonist is Emi Araki, a ramen-delivery driver caught up in a fight against the Miraidō corporation. The setting is a domed, dystopian Japan reshaped by climate crisis. The story takes a backseat to gameplay, but it gives the action a colorful backdrop. Insider Gaming noted the narrative is secondary to the core arcade experience.
Players have access to over 30 trains, each with its own stats affecting speed, tricks, grinds, and points earned. Stages include hidden objectives called "dares" that affect your final ranking. Collectibles like spray cans and gears also feed into progression, giving players multiple ways to improve their score beyond simply crossing the finish line.
Steep Learning Curve but Deeply Rewarding Mechanics
Not every review was without caveats. PC Gamer flagged inconsistent gameplay and a steep learning curve as drawbacks. Mastering the trick system, timing drifts, and hitting score targets takes real practice. New players may feel overwhelmed early on, especially on harder stages with tight time limits.
But most critics agreed the depth pays off. Gamer Matters praised the game's rapidly evolving mechanics, saying the experience stays fresh as new challenges stack up. PSU echoed that sentiment, pointing to varied biomes and a lengthy campaign as signs of a sizable content offering that rewards patient players.
A Colorful Arcade Standout Worth Boarding
Overall, critics agree Denshattack! is a standout in the arcade genre. Thumb Culture described it as one of the most "off-the-wall" games developer Undercoders has ever made — high praise from a studio that clearly swings for spectacle. The consensus is that it is chaotic, loud, and genuinely fun.
With a launch discount bringing the PC version down to around $13.59 and versions available across all major platforms, there are few barriers to jumping on board. For fans of fast, skill-based arcade games, Denshattack! looks like a ride worth taking.
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