WE DON’T HAVE too many of them in Ireland, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t appreciate a good dose of fear on a stomach-turning, death-defying rollercoaster.
Part of the fun for thrill seekers is that each one is a little different. Will it have a steep drop? Could it hang you upside down? Or maybe it just causes your heart to race because it feels too rickety to handle that next loop?
From the sharpest drops to the fastest rides, these coasters are an adrenaline junkie’s dream.
The Wicked Twister
Riders face epic 450-degree spirals at more than 110 kph on this ride in Ohio in the US.
(Image: Wikimedia Commons)
The Colossos
This gigantic wooden coaster in Germany lives up to its name as the highest wooden rollercoaster in Europe at 60 metres high, and is said to be a “smooth as steel” ride.
(Image: Heide Park)
The Kingda Ka
This rollercoaster in New Jersey’s Six Flags adventure park is the tallest in the world.
(Video: sixflgs15/YouTube)
Top Thrill Dragster
This ride, also in Ohio, goes from zero to 190 kph in just four seconds, and you’re shot 128 metres into the air. It’s all over in just 17 seconds, but it’s worth it. Probably.
(AP Photo/Paul M Walsh)
Tower of Terror II
Because apparently one wasn’t enough – the second Tower of Terror in Queensland, Australia, shoots 115 metres into the air (backwards) at 160 kph before dropping you back down to earth.
(Image: Dreamworld)
El Toro
Translate as ‘The Bull,’ the wooden El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure park in New Jersey has a 76 degree drop and nine separate weightless ‘airtime’ opportunities. Who said steel coasters were better?
(Image: Six Flags)
Volcano: The Blast Coaster
This winding coaster shoots riders out of a volcano at Kings Dominion in Virginia in the US, and has one of the world’s tallest inversions at almost 50 metres off the ground.
(Image: Kings Dominion)
Superman Krypton Coaster
The Superman ride at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in the US throws you for one of the biggest loops in the world – 360 degrees at 45 metres in the air.
(Video: wwwCOASTERFORCEcom/YouTube)
Formula Rossa
Abu Dhabi is home to the world’s fastest rollercoaster, topping out at 240 kph in under five seconds. Protective eyewear is required since passengers will experience what 4.8 Gs really feels like.
(Image: Ferrari World)
Coney Island Cyclone
Even Superstorm Sandy couldn’t destroy this New York City landmark and ancient hybrid coaster. The 1920s-era ride in Coney Island still whips riders into a frenzy – just don’t eat a hot dog before strapping in.
(Pic: AP Photo/Seth Wenig/File)
Takabisha
The Fuji-Q Highland park in Japan boasts the steepest drop in the world on its Takabisha coaster. It sends it riders tumbling at 121 degrees at 100kph.
(Screengrab via YouTube)
Texas Giant
The steepest Wooden coaster on the planet is this behemoth at Six Flags Over Texas in the US. It has a 79-degree drop, and shoots riders 14 stories into the air.
(Image: Six Flags)
Millennium Force
Named the best steel coaster in the world three years ago, the Millennium Force at Cedar Point in Ohio (yes, again) ranks in the top ten for the tallest, fastest and steepest rides in the world.
(Image: Cedar Point)
Oblivion
This steel roller coaster at Alton Towers was the first vertical drop rollercoaster in the world. It soars at 60 metres in the air with riders experiencing up to 4.5 Gs of force.
(IMage: Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Full throttle
Opening this summer at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California, Full Throttle is going to set the record as the world’s tallest loop-de-loop at 160 feet in the air. It will also catapult riders from zero to 112 kph in the air on two forward launches.
(Source: Six Flags)
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