Undercoders' Denshattack! merges the mechanics of train track shifting with the daredevil stunts popularized by Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. Despite its over-the-top, campy anime aesthetic, which features trains navigating dilapidated cities, the game demands a high degree of precision and environmental awareness.
Players will find themselves jumping, grinding, and twirling on train tracks at high speeds. While the game appears to allow for reckless abandon, many levels require careful consideration of the environment and its numerous hazards. A few hours of playtime reveal a frenetic blend of score-chasing stunts and intricate track navigation that feels incredibly rewarding when executed correctly.
However, the experience can quickly turn when players become careless. Mistakes during high-speed maneuvers can lead to train cars flying off tracks and colliding with buildings, evoking the sudden loss of control experienced in a car accident. The game offers a swift return to the point of failure, allowing players to quickly attempt to correct their errors. Yet, repeated mistakes can result in significant time and point loss, often prompting a full level restart to achieve a better score.
Denshattack! appeals to the score-chasing mentality by tapping into the player's desire for self-validation through high numbers. The game successfully satisfies this urge by allowing players to achieve impressive scores while piloting anime trains, a combination described as "pretty dope."