Denshattack! Review
Table of Contents
Fun is a word often overlooked in exchange for others like immersion, realism, and more. While it is completely possible to dial up all aspects of a game for an extremely satisfying experience, these titles are few and far between.
Denshattack! is an arcade-action platformer developed by Undercoders and published by Fireshine Games. With the Japanese word Densha, literally meaning Train in English, you can think of it as a cross between Tony Hawk and Jet Set Radio, all done with bombastic anime storytelling and flair, and all done with a rampaging train. It’s as absurd as it sounds, and unmistakably one of the best games of 2026.
Fun. Fun. Fun.
The premise is certainly part of the fun, as players take on the role of Emi Araki, a ramen delivery girl who stumbles into the underground sport of Denshattack, with deliveries made by train. It’s as fun and as anime-pilled as you can get, from the cel-shaded visuals to the colorful neon landscapes, and it sets up a ride that sees the player pull off literal Tony Hawk-like flips and grinds.
As with the premise, don’t expect realism to be a big part of the game. The anime influence is extremely strong, and it pervades every aspect of the game. You’ll meet a colorful cast of characters, rivalries, and lighthearted conversations that touch on mature themes like resilience ever so slightly.
While that’s all fun and good, the gameplay is where Denshattack! shines. Getting players on board is a straightforward tutorial that teaches the basics of drifting through corners, jumping, performing tricks, and more. Once outside the onboarding phase, players are left to their own dexterity and creativity, switching between tracks while racking up score multipliers to finish levels in style.
It is quite challenging, to say the least, and while the game can still be completed by pulling off run-of-the-mill stunts, players who choose to fully immerse themselves and learn the trick system inside out can certainly put up absurd numbers. It rewards mastery well, resulting in a satisfying experience.
Even for me, the trick system is a bit intimidating, and I usually end up repeating tricks throughout due to my lack of creativity. Often, my brain would confuse actions: instead of switching tracks to avoid obstacles, I would pull off a trick. Not a fault of the game itself, as despite the flashy effects and graphics, it effectively communicates how to proceed.
Players will fail often, and that’s perfectly fine. The game simply brings you back to just before the “failing point” in a split second, allowing for a retry that feels seamless and instant. There’s a satisfying feeling when things and actions finally click, and mastering certain sections and stages will be exhilarating.
As you can imagine, Denshattack! is extremely strong in replayability, with levels designed to be replayable through unlockables and dares, which are optional challenges. As you master more of the tricks and tracks, levels can be repeated again to keep the score counters high.
Customizability is also a strong suit for Denshattack! as the game offers train “builds” where some go high on the speed stat, and others on the tricks, etc. There’s a level os use to this, as you can tailor certain builds depending on what the track calls for, which is something that perfectionists will definitely want to min-max.
And we can’t really talk about Denshattack! without complimenting its banging soundtrack, bringing together contributions from the likes of Tee Lopes (Sonic Mania), Shoji Meguro (Persona), and many more. It is a fantastic mix that greatly elevates the experience, and we can go as far as to say that the experience wouldn’t be as good if it weren’t for the compilation of hip-hop, rock, and high-octane beats that get the blood pumping.
Performance is equally good, even on the Steam Deck. Denshattack! can easily hit 60 fps even with a TDP limit in place. Due to its artistic direction, there’s almost no detail lost on the Steam Deck, even on similar handhelds. Everything remains bright and colorful, and while some obstacles are arguably harder to see on a smaller screen, it’s hard to argue its potential as a perfect handheld title.
Verdict: 9/10 Buy it!
Denshattack! is a celebration of chaos, creativity, and style, and, without a doubt, a must-play game of 2026. It is unapologetically fun, with quirky and colorful visuals, a fun cast, inventive mechanics, and anime-inspired spectacle that comes together harmoniously through a soundtrack highlighted by fantastic tunes.
The star of the show is its gameplay, with its layered systems of tricks and high-octane action. Seeing a train do flips and grinds never gets old, and with replayability receiving high marks, Denshattack! is a game that definitely sticks with the player.
*Denshattack! was reviewed on a PC/Steam Deck with a review code provided by the publisher.
