Hands-On Preview: Denshattack!: If Tony Hawk Loved Trains

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I can’t speak for everyone, but growing up in the late ’90s and early 2000s, skateboarding was huge for a lot of us. For me, the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater video games were a major part of that. I became totally hooked, and surprisingly, that love of skating – even though it started from playing the games at home – has stuck with me ever since.

I really enjoyed the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2 remake, but since Skate 3 came out in 2010, I haven’t found a brand new skateboarding game that really captured my attention. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Denshattack! in August 2025 – it seemed like it might finally be the game I’d been waiting for.

Denshattack! is a unique anime-style game inspired by Japanese Shōnen. Instead of a skateboard, you ride an entire train! It’s definitely a strange concept – I was surprised when I first learned about it, and you might be too!

After playing a 20-30 minute demo, I finally understand the hype around Denshattack! It seems fantastic, and I’m really enjoying it so far.

A Vibrant, Insanely Appealing Anime World

From the moment you start Denshattack!, the game’s style really stands out. It has a vibrant, anime-inspired look that reminds me a lot of Persona 5, but with a striking emphasis on yellow instead of red. It’s visually impressive!

The music in this is fantastic – a non-stop stream of catchy, upbeat, and jazzy tunes that perfectly complement the visuals. I really hope they release it as an album on Spotify so I can listen to it whenever I want!

Denshattack! seems like it’s going to be amazing.

The story is admittedly a little over-the-top – it is a game about trains doing kickflips, after all – but it’s also surprisingly endearing. The game takes place in a future where a climate disaster has forced people (at least in Japan) to live inside huge, shielded domes. These cities are connected only by railroads, so someone needs to drive the trains and travel outside – and that’s exactly what the main character, Emi, does for work.

The demo for Denshattack! starts with a simple delivery: Emi takes an order of ramen to a cheerful customer named Fernando, who has blue hair. Impressed by Emi’s train-handling skills during the delivery, Fernando suggests she become a Denshattacker – a skilled train operator known for performing amazing tricks and competing to be the best in the region.

Emi needs to prove she’s skilled enough to join this elite group of train skaters. The game will play out like a classic action story, where she’ll have to defeat a series of rival train operators to demonstrate she’s the best Denshattacker.

As a huge fan, I have to say the soundtrack is incredible! Every single track is a total banger – seriously, there isn’t a weak one. It’s all super upbeat and jazzy, and it fits the game’s art style perfectly. It really enhances the whole experience.

It might seem a little strange, but this game is incredibly fun, and I’m really enjoying the story so far. It’s delightfully weird, doesn’t take itself seriously, and is often genuinely funny. Combined with how beautiful and well-made Denshattack! looks and sounds, I’m really excited to see what the developers do with the full release.

Addictive, Fluid, Intuitive “Skateboarding” Gameplay

Denshattack! is a really enjoyable game to play, and it feels polished in almost every way. Each level features beautifully designed and visually impressive railroad tracks. The core gameplay is easy to pick up: you control a train engine, learning to start it, drift around curves with well-timed button presses, switch tracks, jump, and use the horn to clear obstacles. You can even jump and quickly descend back to the tracks to avoid anything coming your way.

Your train will automatically reach a very fast, consistent speed, as long as you avoid hitting anything. You’ll have to quickly choose the right path when the tracks split, and you’ll encounter wild and imaginative challenges like dodging fireballs in a volcano or balancing on a Ferris wheel that’s rolling through a river.

The game has a great flow as you race through each level, which lasts about two minutes. You’ll try to get the fastest time and pull off as many tricks as possible to earn a gold medal.

As a huge fan, I was blown away by how much you can do with your train mid-air! It’s all about using the right stick and flicking it – it reminds me a lot of the Skate games. You can flip and spin the engine to pull off over 50 different tricks, and the harder the trick, the more points you get. It’s seriously addictive trying to master them all!

You can perform classic skateboarding tricks like grinding on rails, doing manuals, and riding off halfpipes, all while keeping the familiar balance meter from the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games. Plus, the game lets you pull off cool wallrides to cross large gaps in the levels. I’m still not sure how they managed to combine all of this with a train, but it’s incredibly fun!

Every level includes optional side objectives, similar to the challenges in a classic two-minute Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater run. These include finding hidden film reels, collecting items by skillfully jumping between tracks, and completing specific tasks like destroying bridges or satellite dishes. The developers plan to add even more variety when the full game launches. I really enjoyed trying to get a perfect score on each level while also finishing all the extra goals, and I’m looking forward to fully completing the game someday.

Control the engine’s flips and spins by quickly moving the right analog stick – similar to games like Skate. You can perform over 50 unique tricks, and the more complex the trick, the more points you’ll earn!

As a fan, I’m really excited about the high score challenges they’re adding! It sounds like you’ll really need to master all the moves and strategies to have a chance at winning when those pop up. It’ll definitely keep things interesting!

What We’ve Yet To Experience

I’m completely hooked on Denshattack! After just 20 minutes of playing, I’m already eager to jump back in. It was incredibly fun and exciting, but honestly, it wasn’t nearly enough – I need to play more, and soon!

I didn’t get to experience the boss battles during my demo, but they’re a key part of the game. It sounds like you’ll face off against each rival Denshattacker, first battling their minions in a specific area, and then finally taking on the rival themselves in a really epic showdown to prove you’re the best.

The trailers and screenshots have shown off massive boss battles against huge, robot-like enemies – including giant robots and enormous mechanical sandworms bursting from the desert. I’m really excited to find out how these fights will actually play out.

I’ve only explored a small part of the game’s map, as you can see in the screenshot. Most of Japan is still hidden by the fog of war – about 90% of it! I’ve only seen a tiny corner of the southwestern area so far, and I’m really excited to discover the rest of the stunning landscapes and environments the game has to offer.

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I had a chance to try out four of the game’s trains and personalize how they look. Each train has different strengths and weaknesses, and I’m excited to discover which ones become my favorites when the full game releases.

I still have so much left to discover in Denshattack!, and I’m really excited to see what the developers add to the game when it’s finished.

I Need It Immediately

Okay, so as a skating game fan, I have to say Denshattack! is one of those games you really need to experience to get it. The concept is pretty out there, so I totally understand if it doesn’t immediately grab you, even if you usually love this genre. Honestly, just give it a try – it’s different!

I still have so much left to discover in Denshattack!, and I’m really excited to see what the game offers when it’s finished.

Even after just a quick look, I’m really excited to see more of this game. I’m hooked by the core gameplay, and the presentation and movement feel fantastic.

Denshattack! is planned to release in Spring 2026 on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. For the latest updates and to follow the game’s development by Undercoders, be sure to wishlist it on Steam.

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2026-02-19 17:14