New to Denshattack!? Start here — watch the official how-to-play video, then read the key systems below before your first run.
Denshattack! has four systems that work together. Learn them in this order — each one builds on the last.
Hold LT entering a corner to drift. Watch the drift meter drop as you hold. Release at the corner exit — your train angle should match the track direction. Releasing at the right moment gives a speed boost. Early release loses boost. Late release scrubs speed.
This is the single most important skill in the game. Gold time medals are won and lost on drift timing. Master this before worrying about tricks.
Chain two drifts through an S-curve with LT + Left Stick while still drifting — this is the Ultradrift, the advanced technique for maintaining speed through multiple consecutive corners.
Tap RT for a small hop. Hold RT longer before releasing for maximum height — essential for reaching upper lanes and gears on elevated routes.
While airborne, use Left Stick to switch lanes mid-jump without breaking your combo. This is how you reach alternate routes and collectibles without touching down on the wrong rail.
At the 3-2-1 countdown before a run starts — press the launch button with perfect timing to rocket off the line for an immediate speed advantage.
All tricks use the Right Stick. They only register while you're airborne — no effect on the ground. The Tricktionary in the pause menu lists every input.
Start with these two:
Kickflip — right stick flick LEFT · Heelflip — right stick flick RIGHT
These are Basic tier tricks — fast to input, reliable to land. Alternate between them to avoid the repeat penalty (each repeated trick loses 25% value per extra use). Add Shuvit (quarter-circle forward) as your third rotation.
Don't attempt Intermediate or Advanced tricks until Kickflip and Heelflip are completely automatic.
Your combo multiplier builds as long as you keep doing scoring moves. Three things maintain the chain:
Tricks — any right stick input in the air adds to combo. Land clean without bailing.
Grinds — landing on rails keeps the combo alive between jumps. Grinds don't count toward trick-count dares but they're essential combo bridges.
Manual — right stick forward or back on landing enters manual mode, preventing combo reset on flat ground. Use between ramps.
Sustain the combo for a full run and Overtime activates — a 1.4× multiplier on everything. This is what separates bronze from gold on score medals.
Don't try to do everything at once. On your very first run through any level:
1. Just drive. Learn the track layout — where corners are, where ramps are, where side routes branch off.
2. Practice drift timing through every corner. Don't worry about tricks yet.
3. On your second run — add Kickflips and Heelflips on the biggest air ramps only.
4. By run three — you'll know the layout well enough to start thinking about dares and collectibles.