Denshattack Is a Stylish, Challenging Anime Train Game

What Is Denshattack?

Denshattack is a single-player action sports game developed by solo developer Yuzo Koshiro (credited as the creator of the Streets of Rage series) and published by Playism. It is a "train surfing" game that combines Tony Hawk-style trick mechanics with anime-inspired visuals and Japanese railway environments. The game solves the problem of offering a fast-paced, skill-based arcade experience focused on grinding, jumping, and performing combos on moving trains, rather than traditional skateboarding.

Key Facts

How Does Denshattack Play?

Denshattack places the player on top of moving trains in a stylized Japanese city. The player must grind along overhead power lines, jump between cars, and perform tricks to build a combo meter. The game uses a two-stick control scheme: left stick moves the character, right stick performs tricks. Successful combos increase speed and score, while mistakes cause the player to fall off. The game features multiple stages with increasing difficulty, each with unique train layouts and obstacles.

According to the Kotaku review, "Denshattack makes your brain go brrr in the best way possible, but it also demands near-perfect timing and memorization of train patterns." The reviewer noted that the game's challenge comes from its unforgiving physics and the need to chain tricks without touching the ground. The game includes a practice mode and leaderboards, but no story mode.

"Denshattack is a stylish, challenging anime train game that rewards precision and punishes hesitation, making it a niche but deeply satisfying experience for fans of high-skill arcade games."

Who Is This For?

Denshattack is designed for players who enjoy high-difficulty arcade games with a steep learning curve. It appeals to fans of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater who want a fresh setting, as well as players who appreciate anime aesthetics and Japanese culture. The game is not recommended for casual players or those who become frustrated by repeated failure. It is best suited for speedrunners, combo chasers, and anyone who enjoys mastering a single mechanic through practice.

The Kotaku article states that the game "is not for everyone" and that "you will fall off the train hundreds of times before you land a 50-trick combo." The reviewer compared the satisfaction to that of classic arcade games like "OlliOlli" or "Tony Hawk's Underground." The game offers no difficulty settings, so all players face the same challenge.

"Denshattack is a game for players who find joy in incremental improvement and who are willing to fail repeatedly to achieve a perfect run."

How It Compares to Tony Hawk's Pro Skater

Denshattack shares the trick-chaining and grinding mechanics of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, but replaces skateparks with moving trains and adds a vertical dimension. Unlike Tony Hawk, Denshattack has no open-world exploration, no create-a-skater, and no licensed soundtrack. The game focuses entirely on a single core loop: grind, jump, trick, repeat. The difficulty is significantly higher, with no bail-out mechanics or easy modes.

"Denshattack is a more focused and punishing experience than Tony Hawk's Pro Skater, trading variety for depth and precision."

Common Questions

Is Denshattack worth the $19.99 price?

Yes, for players who enjoy high-skill arcade games. The game offers about 4–6 hours of initial playthrough, but its leaderboard system and combo challenges provide replay value. The Kotaku review called it "a blast" despite the frustration.

Does Denshattack have a story or campaign?

No. The game has no narrative. It consists of eight stages with increasing difficulty, each with a high-score goal. There is no character progression or unlockable content beyond cosmetic items earned through achievements.

What platforms is Denshattack available on?

Denshattack is available on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It was released on February 14, 2025. The developer has not announced a Nintendo Switch version as of the article's publication.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based on a single primary source: the Kotaku review of Denshattack published on February 14, 2025, written by an unnamed Kotaku staff writer. The review was accessed at https://kotaku.com/denshattack-review-impressions-steam-pc-ps5-xbox-train-2000716200. All facts, quotes, and impressions are derived from that article. No other sources were used. Pricing and platform information were cross-referenced with the Steam store page. This article was last updated on February 15, 2025.