Denshattack! is not your average trick-based game. Instead of skateboards or rollerblades, you ride trains across Japan, pulling off combos and grinding along tracks with style. We spoke with director David Jaumandreu about the game’s quirky origins, its ties to Tony Hawk and Jet Set Radio, its focus on Japanese culture, and the Tokyo Game Show debut that puts it in front of the audience it was made to honor.
From Fingerboards to Finger-Trains
The idea for Denshattack! came from an unusual source. Game director David Jaumandreu recalled, “The idea for the game came to me while I was playing with a Japanese train model as if it were a finger skate and thinking ‘wouldn’t it be super cool if trains could trick like this?’” What started as a goofy concept quickly turned into the studio’s next project. Once prototypes were in place, the team knew they had something worth pursuing.
Influences: Tony Hawk Meets Jet Set Radio
Comparisons to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Jet Set Radio aren’t accidental. Jaumandreu pointed to Tony Hawk as defining trick-based game design, something that directly shaped Denshattack!’s mechanics. The team’s experience with platformers like Mail Mole and Koa and the Five Pirates of Mara also set the foundation for how tricks would be handled. On the visual side, the colorful, cel-shaded aesthetic comes from Jet Set Radio. “Its colorful environments, cell shaded visuals and super stylized characters captivated us both as players and as creators,” Jaumandreu explained. Modern titles like Bomb Rush Cyberfunk and Hi-Fi Rush also influenced the look and feel. Even Taito’s Densha de Go! series had an impact, combining the team’s love of trains and arcades into a formula that felt right for Denshattack!.
A Journey Across Japan
The game takes players on a full journey across Japan, from Kyushu in the south to Hokkaido in the north. Along the way, it blends landscapes, landmarks, and even real train lines into its design. “We’ve invested a lot of time and effort into faithfully depicting the most beautiful landscapes, soundscapes, vibes and landmarks of each prefecture, even recreating many of the local train lines that actually operate now,” Jaumandreu said. For him, Japan has been a lifelong influence. Its countryside, sprawling urban environments, and constant pulse of pop culture all played into the design of Denshattack! and gave the team a deep pool of references to draw from.
Showing Denshattack! at Tokyo Game Show
Appearing at TGS 2025 marks a milestone for the team. “It feels amazing! … To be able to attend the show once again as part of the Selected Indie 80 is incredibly exciting,” Jaumandreu explained. Their last appearance was back in 2017 with Conga Master Party, which won best design. This time, the studio is eager to see how Japanese audiences react, especially since so much of the game is centered on the country’s rail system and cultural charm.
The Sound of the Rails: Tee Lopes Joins the Project
Music has been a priority from day one of development. The team wanted a soundtrack that could match the energy of gameplay and visuals while evoking Sega’s classic arcade sound. That led them to Tee Lopes. “I’ve been a big fan of Tee since I discovered his work through Sonic Mania, so we quickly agreed with our publisher, Fireshine, that he would be an ideal candidate… and we were lucky enough that he loved the idea and could come on board!” Jaumandreu said. The collaboration resulted in Densha ni notte ne! ~電車に乗ってね!~, a high-energy track that defines the game’s sound and adds personality to the rails.
Denshattack! launches in early 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S (including Day One availability on Game Pass).
