Mastering Denshattack! Gameplay: The Ultimate Train-Skating Guide
Learn how to master Denshattack! gameplay with our comprehensive guide covering core mechanics, tricks, grinds, boss strategies, and system specs.
Quick answer
- Use an Xbox controller on PC to handle the fast-paced lane switching and drifting mechanics smoothly.
- Perform midair flips and spins using the right analog stick to chain trick combos and build multipliers.
- Maintain your balance on grind rails by keeping your carriage within the designated sweet spot.
- Collect spray cans and film rolls to unlock train cosmetics at the Castle and complete Emmy's fanzines.
Dive into the wild, gravity-defying world of Denshattack!, a high-speed stunt train simulator that blends arcade racing with skateboarding mechanics. If you want to master the frantic Denshattack! gameplay, you need to understand how to balance momentum, pull off midair flips, and grind complex rail networks. This guide breaks down everything from basic movement to advanced trick combos. By learning the ins and outs of Denshattack! gameplay, you can easily defeat the sinister Miraidō corporation and rise from a naive beginner to a legendary train-skating pro.
Set in a futuristic Japan where humanity has been pushed into air-purifying dome cities, the game puts you in the shoes of an outlaw delivery driver who stumbles into the underground world of "deners." To survive these high-stakes tracks, you must push your custom gravity-defying train carriage to its absolute limits.
Core Movement and Track Navigation
At its heart, the game plays like a hybrid of classic extreme sports games and high-speed rail racers. You pilot a customized train carriage across complex, multi-lane tracks that twist, loop, and split dynamically.
Basic Controls and Drifting
Your train carriage is propelled by a supersonic engine. You control your speed using an engine start button (A on an Xbox controller) and brakes.
- Drifting: Drifting around tight curves is essential to keeping your speed up during your Denshattack! gameplay sessions. If you take a corner too fast without drifting, you risk flying off the tracks.
- Honking: Honking your horn isn't just a cosmetic feature. It actively affects the environment, allowing you to trigger environmental objects, shatter obstacles, or scare away animals like bats in caves.
Jumping and Aerial Lane Switching
Tracks are rarely straightforward. You will regularly encounter massive gaps, broken rails, and incoming traffic.
- Jumping: Press the jump button to launch your carriage over gaps.
- Midair Lane Switching: While airborne, you can switch to neighboring tracks by flicking the left analog stick. This is crucial for navigating split pathways or grabbing hard-to-reach collectibles.
- Stomping: If you overshoot a jump or need to return to the rails quickly, you can perform a ground stomp to slam your carriage back down onto the track safely.
Mastering Tricks and Grinds
To earn the respect of underground rebel gangs and progress through the campaign, you must score massive points by performing stunts.
Midair Tricks
Whenever your train is airborne, you can perform tricks using the right analog stick. Flicking the stick in different directions executes flips, spins, and rolls.
- Back 360s: Rotate the stick fully to pull off a complete rotation.
- Trick Combos: Chaining multiple different tricks in a row before landing builds your score multiplier. Be careful not to hold a trick too long, or you will crash upon landing.
Rail Grinding
Some levels feature isolated single rails. Landing directly on these rails initiates a grind.
- The Balance Meter: Once you start grinding, a balance meter will appear. You must keep your carriage centered within the "sweet spot" to maintain the grind.
- Grind Multipliers: Scoring over 100 or even 500 points on a single grind sweet spot is highly achievable if you enter the grind with high speed and maintain perfect balance.
Risky Dodges
A "risky dodge" occurs when you switch lanes at the very last second to avoid an obstacle, a construction barrier, or an oncoming train. Learning the precise timing of these dodges adds a layer of verticality to the core Denshattack! gameplay loop, keeping you safe while boosting your style points.
Campaign Progression and Customization
The campaign takes you across a beautifully stylized post-apocalyptic Japan, from the rural countryside of Kyushu to the massive dome-covered metropolises of Osaka and Tokyo, and eventually to the snowfields of Hokkaido.
Stage Dares (Optional Challenges)
Every stage features a set of optional objectives called "Dares." Completing these challenges is required to fully complete the game and unlock special rewards. Common Dares include:
- Completing a level without crashing.
- Smashing specific environmental objects (such as wooden bridges, satellite antennas, or sandcastles).
- Performing specific tricks (like a back 360 or tricking while breaking a window).
- Scaring bats inside caves using your horn.
The Castle and Train Upgrades
As you progress, you will gain access to the Castle, a hidden sanctuary occupied by rebel artists and engineers. This is your primary hub for upgrading and customizing your train carriage.
| Customization Type | How to Unlock / Use |
|---|---|
| Upgrades & Parts | Purchase performance parts to improve speed, drift handling, and grind stability. |
| Spray Cans | Collect colorful spray cans hidden throughout the tracks to unlock custom paint jobs. |
| Film Rolls | Collect film rolls to help Emmy, the freelance photographer, complete her fanzines. |
Completing Emmy's fanzines at autonomous "Enzim" printing stations unlocks deep lore about the game's characters, the rebel factions, and the history of the dome cities.
Advanced Gameplay Walkthrough and Tips
To see how these high-speed mechanics look in action, watch this early-game walkthrough. It demonstrates basic navigation, trick tutorials, and how to handle the game's sudden lane-switching demands.
Pro Tips for High Scores
- Look Ahead: The pace of the game is incredibly fast. Instead of focusing on your train carriage, keep your eyes focused slightly ahead on the track to anticipate oncoming obstacles and lane splits.
- Use Braking Strategically: While braking slows you down, it can save you from a devastating crash. Tap the brakes briefly if you lose track of your position or need to realign with a grind rail.
- Chain Grinds into Tricks: The best way to hit target scores is to jump off a grind rail, perform a quick midair trick, and then land back on a neighboring grind rail to keep your combo multiplier alive.
Defeating Bosses and Rival Gangs
Throughout your journey, you will face off against rival "deners" and bosses who represent the sinister Miraidō Corporation.
Defeating Yoshi
One of your earliest major rivals is Yoshi, a wealthy high school dropout who commands a notorious gang. Boss battles like the duel against Yoshi are not simple races; they are chaotic survival courses.
- Avoid Hazards: Bosses will throw unique hazards at you, such as falling satellites, construction equipment, and spinning ferris wheels.
- Impress the Crowd: To win, you must maintain a high speed and perform impressive tricks to show the underground network that your skills are superior. This escalation makes the mid-to-late game Denshattack! gameplay feel incredibly fresh and challenging.
System Requirements
Ensure your PC is ready to handle the high-speed action of the game by checking the official system requirements below:
| Requirement | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-6600K / AMD Ryzen 3 2200G | Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| Memory | 12 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD RX 570 (4GB) | NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6GB) / AMD RX 580 (8GB) |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 8 GB available space | 8 GB available space |
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