Undercoders’ Denshattack arrives on Switch 2 on July 15, 2026, published by Fireshine Games and priced at $20.
The Barcelona-based indie studio delivers a fast-paced, cel-shaded arcade experience that blends trick-driven score play with a narrative set across nine Japanese prefectures.
The single-player campaign runs roughly 10–15 hours and includes voiceovers in both Japanese and English with an on-the-fly audio switch in settings.
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
Early impressions and narrative
At first glance Denshattack invites comparisons to late-90s and early-2000s extreme-sports titles; the reviewer noted an immediate association with Tony Hawk–style trick scoring transposed to high-speed train runs.
The story unfolds in a dystopian Japan dominated by the corporate Miraidō Corporation: over 70 percent of the population live beneath domes while the young noodle chef protagonist Emi Araki joins an underground movement of train riders led in part by a budding journalist, Fernando.
The plot follows an anime-influenced, shōnen-like arc where Emi grows stronger through rival encounters, and onsens provide character-building interludes and side-details.
Core gameplay and structure
Gameplay centers on moving a train from point A to point B while chaining tricks—grinds, drifts, wall-riding, track-switching and aerial moves—to build score and meet stage ‘dares.’ Each prefecture contains multiple stages and a boss fight against a gang leader.
Stages are graded from no-rank up to gold based on score, completion speed, dares completed and crash-free runs.
Additional modes include skate-park high-score stages, gang races, objective-based levels and bombastic boss encounters that escalate in spectacle.
Controls and learning curve
Denshattack introduces many mechanics early and expands the player toolkit through the campaign.
The reviewer reported a steep learning curve, acknowledging that some difficulties may stem from player unfamiliarity rather than design, but also noting that generous checkpoints reduce punishment for crashes.
Collision issues were observed in a handful of stages; Undercoders has confirmed fixes and a day-one patch is planned.
Presentation, audio and performance
The game’s cel-shaded aesthetic and period-evocative presentation drew comparisons to Jet Set Radio and Sonic Riders.
Audio is a standout: lead composer Tee Lopes (Sonic Mania) headlines a soundtrack featuring contributions credited to Richard Jacques, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi and Shoji Meguro.
The reviewer praised the diverse, high-energy score and lauded the dual-language voice options.
Performance remained steady across handheld and docked play with only isolated frame drops reported late in the campaign.
Conclusion
Denshattack on Switch 2 is an energetic, visually striking arcade title with strong music, an engaging cast, and well-crafted set-pieces.
While the control complexity may deter some players initially, the package — at a $20 price point — offers substantial content and marks a promising foundation for Undercoders to expand into a franchise.
The Barcelona-based indie studio delivers a fast-paced, cel-shaded arcade experience that blends trick-driven score play with a narrative set across nine Japanese prefectures.
The single-player campaign runs roughly 10–15 hours and includes voiceovers in both Japanese and English with an on-the-fly audio switch in settings.
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
Early impressions and narrative
At first glance Denshattack invites comparisons to late-90s and early-2000s extreme-sports titles; the reviewer noted an immediate association with Tony Hawk–style trick scoring transposed to high-speed train runs.
The story unfolds in a dystopian Japan dominated by the corporate Miraidō Corporation: over 70 percent of the population live beneath domes while the young noodle chef protagonist Emi Araki joins an underground movement of train riders led in part by a budding journalist, Fernando.
The plot follows an anime-influenced, shōnen-like arc where Emi grows stronger through rival encounters, and onsens provide character-building interludes and side-details.
Core gameplay and structure
Gameplay centers on moving a train from point A to point B while chaining tricks—grinds, drifts, wall-riding, track-switching and aerial moves—to build score and meet stage ‘dares.’ Each prefecture contains multiple stages and a boss fight against a gang leader.
Stages are graded from no-rank up to gold based on score, completion speed, dares completed and crash-free runs.
Additional modes include skate-park high-score stages, gang races, objective-based levels and bombastic boss encounters that escalate in spectacle.
Controls and learning curve
Denshattack introduces many mechanics early and expands the player toolkit through the campaign.
The reviewer reported a steep learning curve, acknowledging that some difficulties may stem from player unfamiliarity rather than design, but also noting that generous checkpoints reduce punishment for crashes.
Collision issues were observed in a handful of stages; Undercoders has confirmed fixes and a day-one patch is planned.
Presentation, audio and performance
The game’s cel-shaded aesthetic and period-evocative presentation drew comparisons to Jet Set Radio and Sonic Riders.
Audio is a standout: lead composer Tee Lopes (Sonic Mania) headlines a soundtrack featuring contributions credited to Richard Jacques, Takenobu Mitsuyoshi and Shoji Meguro.
The reviewer praised the diverse, high-energy score and lauded the dual-language voice options.
Performance remained steady across handheld and docked play with only isolated frame drops reported late in the campaign.
Conclusion
Denshattack on Switch 2 is an energetic, visually striking arcade title with strong music, an engaging cast, and well-crafted set-pieces.
While the control complexity may deter some players initially, the package — at a $20 price point — offers substantial content and marks a promising foundation for Undercoders to expand into a franchise.
