Looking for a thrill this summer? No summer break is complete without a trip to the amusement park. And as those who wait hours in line will tell you, nothing beats the thrilling, adrenaline-pumping experience of a steel coaster that sends you hurling through massive drops, twisted inversions, and high G-force turns. Here's a look at 13 of the best steel coasters in the world.
1. Bizarro, Six Flags New England, MA
It may not be the tallest or fastest, but Bizarro (formerly Superman: Ride of Steel) is consistently ranked the #1 steel roller coaster by industry experts and enthusiasts. While ascending the lift, take in the beautiful view of greenery and the Connecticut River. That is, while it lasts – before you know it, you'll be plunging down a 221-foot first drop into a fog-filled tunnel and soaring through a relentless series of high-speed twists and hills at 77 miles per hour. Bizarro's amazing sensation of speed, strong G-forces, several moments of weightlessness, and open trains make it the best steel coaster in the world.
2. Nemesis, Alton Towers, UK
Well over a decade after its 1994 debut, Nemesis is still consistently rated one of the best steel coasters in the world. Located at Alton Towers in England, Nemesis is an inverted coaster with modest stats – it stands 43-feet tall and features a 104-foot drop, 4 inversions, and a top speed of 50 mph. But because of local height restrictions that forced the park to build the ride below the treeline, Nemesis makes excellent use of the park's terrain, plunging through ravines and underground tunnels while dangling riders below the track. The ride's superb theming, non-stop intensity, and ground-hugging maneuvers make it a classic.
3. X2, Six Flags Magic Mountain, CA
X2 (formerly X), the world's first 4th Dimension coaster, introduced a very unique concept when it opened in 2002. Rather than seating riders above or below the track, riders sit to the side in seats that can independently rotate 360 degrees forwards or backwards. What does this mean for those daring enough to climb aboard? Sheer insanity.
Riders spin upside-down and travel both forwards and backwards as the train pummels through a series of drops and unique elements, creating one of the most intense roller coaster experiences on the planet. And the first drop is one of the most thrilling plunges you'll ever experience. Though design flaws caused numerous delays and closures, the ride has been running reliably since re-launching in 2008 with completely redesigned trains and new audio/sensory effects.
4. Diamondback, Kings Island, OH
The newest coaster on this list, Diamondback has quickly become a favorite among fans and enthusiasts for its relentless drops and bunny hills that send riders flying out of their seats. This Hypercoaster features a first drop of 215-feet, top speeds of 80 miles per hour, and a memorable helix and splashdown at the end of the ride. The non-stop action, incredible airtime, and unique, open-air trains make Diamondback a must-ride for coaster fans.
5. Millennium Force, Cedar Point, OH
Deemed a 'Giga Coaster' because it breaks the 300-foot barrier, Millennium Force is an incredibly fun and thrilling coaster that delivers non-stop intensity from start to finish. After ascending a 310-foot lift hill that overlooks Lake Erie, you'll plunge down a near-vertical, 300-foot first drop and reach a blistering 93 miles per hour while traversing through more than a mile of tunnels, overbanked turns, and massive hills that send you flying out of your seat. Amazingly enough, Millennium Force is no longer the tallest and fastest ride at Cedar Point – that honor now belongs to Top Thrill Dragster.
6. Dragon Khan, PortAdventura Park, Spain
Dragon Khan was the world's first roller coaster to feature eight inversions, continuously sending riders head-over-heels as they navigate a series of loops, cobra rolls, zero-G rolls, and corkscrews. This coaster also boasts an impressive 161-foot first drop and top speeds of 65 miles per hour.
7. Expedition GeForce, Holiday Park, Germany
Expedition GeForce is one of the tallest (188-feet), fastest (74 mph), and steepest roller coasters in Europe, and has consistently ranked as one of the world's best since its 2001 debut. The first-half of this mammoth coaster is about non-stop speed and intensity, while the bunny hill section towards the end ejects riders out of their seat (dubbed 'ejector air' by enthusiasts).
8. Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point, OH
Want to know what it feels like to be blasted from 0 to 120 miles per hour in 4 seconds? Or what it's like to descend a 400-foot vertical spiral? Top Thrill Dragster, which became the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster when it debuted in 2004, delivers just that. And if that's not scary enough, signs in the queue warn about 'rollbacks' that occur when the train is not launched with enough speed to clear the crest of the hill, causing it to roll back down in reverse. Fun!
9. Manta, SeaWorld Orlando, FL
Dubbed a 'Flying Coaster' because riders are suspended below the track in a flying position, Manta is a thrilling, well-themed coaster that truly recreates the sensation of soaring through the sky. Riders sail through a series of intense inversions including a 98-foot tall Pretzel Loop, but the coaster's most memorable element is a dive towards a pond that places riders just a few feet above the water.
10. Griffon, Busch Gardens Europe, VA
Griffon's 205-foot, 90-degree plunge is one of the most terrifying first drops in the world. But the ride doesn't drop you right away – to get your adrenaline pumping, brakes halt the train as it hangs over the edge for several seconds, leaving you to ponder, "Why the hell did I get on?" Griffon isn't a one-trick pony either, with two Immelman loops, a second 130-feet 87-degree drop, and a splashdown finale that sprays water up to 45-foot in the air.
11. Maverick, Cedar Point, OH
For those of you who have been to Cedar Point, it should come as no surprise that three of their coasters made this list. And in fact, it can easily be argued that Magnum XL-200 and Raptor should be included as well. Maverick, the park's latest coaster, is one of the most intense coasters in the US. It gets off to a fast start, quickly propelling you up the lift hill then sending you hurling over a beyond-vertical 95-degree drop. This action-packed coaster doesn't let up from there, racing through a series of hills, corkscrews, twists, and a launch through a 400-foot tunnel.
12. Montu, Busch Gardens Africa, FL
Similar to Nemesis, Montu is an inverted coaster built by Bolliger & Mabillard, a company often referred to as the 'Mercedes-Benz of roller coaster designers'. But Montu is much taller, faster, and twisted than Nemesis, reaching heights of 150-feet, traveling at speeds of up to 63 mph, and sending riders hurling through 7 inversions – more than any other inverted coaster. Montu's excellent theming, fast pace, and intense elements make it consistently rank as one of the best roller coasters in the world.
13. Phantom's Revenge, Kennywood Park, PA
Originally debuting as the Steel Phantom in 1991 to rave reviews, this coaster was modified during the 2000-2001 offseason and renamed 'Phantom's Revenge'. Though the original inversions were removed, this coaster's signature second drop remained intact – a 228-foot plunge through the structure of the classic Thunderbolt coaster. After reaching a top speed of 85 miles per hour, Phantom's Revenge blasts through a flurry of drops, high-speed turns, and bunny hills, all while navigating the park's natural terrain. Nearly two decades after its debut, Phantom's Revenge remains one of the tallest, fastest, and most thrilling rides in America.
Did your favorite steel roller coaster make this list? Let us know in the comments!
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