I 100% agree about Wildcat at Lake Compounce. As someone who grew up in/lives in Connecticut, it was a childhood classic. But when I got off of it last year, I was actually concerned that I sprained my lower back. The problem is that they can't tear it down; it's around 100 years old. I wouldn't be upset to see it get replaced by a proper GCI, but it's part of history so it's understandable why its just kind of stuck operating there.
Eh, I don't really care for the whole "it's part of history thing." Coasters are meant to be ridden, and if the ride experience is horrendous, something needs to be done about it. They could just completely rebuild it exactly like it was, like Universal did with The Hulk.
"Nighthawk" was actually called "Stealth" when it was at CGA. It was the Borg Assimilator at Carowinds before it was repainted and themed at the same park.
@@hedgehogcoasters7239 true, but i think that the point here is: the worst coasters today arent as bad as the worst coasters decades ago. i think the gap between bad coasters and good coasters remain fairly constant, but both the floor and ceiling of quality rise together.
T3 (Kentucky Kingdom) is the worst of the SLC standard model to me. Trains are built for abuse. Nighthawk is only bad because of the corkscrews at the end.
And it was great back in the day! I was very sad to see it on this list, but I know what can happen to coasters when they're moved that far and then age 15 years.
Colossus at Thorpe Park has gotta be on there. I know when you went it wasn’t so bad, but in the past year it is a literal pin ball machine on your head, it is beyond painful. Fun fact - It hit a woman’s head so hard that it shifted her brain tumour, which she didn’t know about, which made it known, so it technically saved her life by being so rough.
Ironically I rode Colossus for the first time a few weeks ago and found it butter smooth! Probably helped that I had no headbanging as I'm 6ft 2 though. Saw on the other hand was painfully rough, even though I also had no headbanging.
Ugh, I don't like that ride at all. Rough, like you said, but also with cramped and uncomfortable trains and those last few inversions make me feel sick. Intamins seem very variable to me. Some are among my favourite rides, while others are just horrible.
Oh man, Steamin' Demon at #3 gave me some unexpected whiplash! I was born and raised in upstate New York, so my family would always visit Great Escape every year. Comet and Steamin' Demon were my first and second coasters I ever rode, and I remember loving them both. However, the last time I rode it would be back around 2003, so something tells me that the past 20 years have probably done this ride wrong, which is a shame. Obviously it would never be able to go head to head with modern coasters, it is such a simple ride, but for what it was back then, it helped fuel my love of roller coasters. It's a shame to see it's gotten so bad, but hopefully I can ride it again before it's ever removed for old times sake, as much as it may try to kill me.
Lived in Clifton Park NY, was always at Great Escape and they were my first roller coasters also. Lol don’t live there now but I did enjoy Great Escape growing up.
Last time I rode it about 3 years ago it had gotten rough ( not unrideable). I always hoped sixflags would have put more into Great Escape but it seems like they invest just what needs to be done and not much more.
@@CoasterStudios It's because of where you sit. The best place to sit is the last or second to last row because you are near the zero car which helps smooth out the transitions somewhat. The further away you are from the zero car the rougher it gets and this goes for all Arrow Loopers except for Tennessee Tornado because it's the only one not designed and built by hand
@@AdamSmith-gs2dv Good to know! My home park Arrow is Carolina Cyclone, which I find to be terribly rough and jerky even in the front with defensive riding, although others call it smooth? However Tennessee Tornado is miles ahead of Carolina Crap and I prefer it even to Thunderhead. Where did you learn this info? Just wondering cause I'm a newer enthusiast and trying to find how to properly ride different models.
The one coaster that I absolutely refuse to ever get back on again: The Hurler at Carowinds. I got on it with my cousin and we were the ONLY people even near that ride aside from workers. It was terrifyingly rough, literally felt like we were coming off the track from how much it was rocking, and my seat belt snapped in half so I was literally curled around the already flimsy lap bar. Never again.
Hurler is at my home park. Not sure what was going on but Hurler isn't rough normally. The problem with it is that it is BORING. Literally nothing interesting happens.
For me, the absolute worst coaster is definitely Boomerang at SFSTL. And this is coming from someone who has ridden T3, Ninja, and Corkscrew at CP. It broke my dad's $100 sun glasses he had in his pocket and the second catch car lift hurt so much, it felt like the anti roll back on a lift hill was a foot behind so you just get slammed back so hard.
Couldn’t agree more, the catch car lifts on Vekoma Boomerangs are just brutal. The way they thrash your skull into the head rest several times is just horrible. This happened to me on Boomerang at Wild Adventures last year and I think it also happened on the one at SFSTL when I rode it
Yes. Although I love vintage coasters and often will disagree with enthusiasts about them, Wildcat at Lake Compounce is the bumpiest coaster I’ve ever ridden. It’s such a shame because it is beautiful and historic. Some of the families I spoke with at the park say that little kids like it.
I have to agree with you about Hershey's Wildcat. The last time I rode it it shook me up so much I was dizzy and couldn't sleep. But if you look past the roughness it has a great layout one that has a lot of potential for an RMC
I haven’t been on a lot of rides, but being from St. Louis, I can definitely say that The Ninja definitely deserves its spot on the list. I hated that ride growing up. And yes, it does feel like a ninja is beating you up on that ride.
As a St Louis native I can't agree more with Ninja's addition to this list. It is such a bad coaster it blows my mind they haven't knocked it down to do better with the space
Dang, I've riden several coasters on this list, but the one that actually saddens me the most is Wildcat at Lake Compounce. Glad I got to ride it one last time before they ruined it.
Been a CT resident my whole life and I’ve ridden the Wildcat more times that ide care to admit. I remember them doing maintenance on it one year but never connected the dots when me and some buds came back a year or two later and rode it again. We didn’t know what or why all we knew was we rode it and it WAS NOT the same ride we had ridden since we were kids. It was never an amazing coaster by modern standards but this time we got off literally bruised. It was a genuinely painful experience lol. Some of these steel coasters might be uncomfortable but the trade off was at least found in some foundational level of thrill given the speed and other aspects of modern coasters. Wildcat was already a dated slow rickety coaster that offered a somewhat underwhelming experience. It’s size is deceiving because the speed and the thrill level by today’s standards offered something closer to a kiddy coaster than a full on thrill ride. I think the coasters main attraction was always simply the novelty of riding a coaster so old , getting to feel the experience of something that was a product of its time in spite of how poorly it might have aged in the thrill department. The track reworking sucked whatever minimal amount of thrills it had left out and the novelty of the coaster isn’t great enough a factor to justify the price of admission which is simply put….pain😂 an already slow and dated coaster, getting in line for the Wildcat now is akin to willingly getting inside of a sardine can and being shaken violently and gaining absolutely nothing in return💀
I completely agree with number 1!! I went on Kong here at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom back when it was still Marine World. I was like 14 and never rode it again! Made the terrible mistake of riding it the day after getting both ear my cartilages pierced. The second we started trekking up the lift hill instant regret 🙃😩 I pray they remove it and put something thrill worthy but the city building limits prevents the possibilities.
#1 Yeah, I agree. When I rode Kong at Discovery Kingdom, I felt like I spent more time trying to keep my head off the restraints than actually enjoying the ride. I feel like if it had better restraints and smoother track, it could actually be a great ride, but man that thing is rough in its current state.
When I first rode Kong at DK. Yeah I just like braced myself against one side and rode defensively. I don't know why I tried to ride it more then once, maybe its because it at the time was the only other suspended coaster in Northern California (the other being Top Gun/Flight Deck at CGA). But yeah Kong is a bad uncomfortable ride
I've never ridden any other flying dutchman other than Nighthawk when it was Stealth at what was Paramount's Great America, and I met a couple enthusiasts with more ride time than me with rides around the US, and they thought the other versions with the outside inline twist was more uncomfortable. So if others agree with you on this one, maybe you're right that something was messed up in Nighthawk's move.
it's really funny to hear you mention Nighthawk, because i remember being 13ish and Carowinds was my first ever amusement park, I remember Nighthawk had broken down or was having issues and there was a huge line and I just thought to myself 'man, I'm not going on there'
I recently went to Six Flags Darien Lake, and I can agree. The "Mind Eraser" Which is just a Vekoma SLC, is VERY bad. Stay away. From the headbanging, to the uncomfortable seats. Everything is bad on this coaster. What are your thoughts?
In Italy at Gardaland there is "Blue tornado" which is one of the earliest Vekoma SLC and it was the first inverted coaster in Europe, the ride was good when it was released but now it seriously needs a retracking, the layout is too rough to be enjoyable and i hope they're gonna change it but since Merlin entertainment bought Gardaland i don't think they will
I was just there and it was absolutely terrible. It was my first time at Six Flags Darien Lake and I saw mind eraser and got so excited because it’s essentially the same as Montu from Busch Gardens Tampa but it was so rough and I got a terrible headache for the rest of the day.
Well maybe the name is quite striking then. If is so roughy it erases your mind. Or you want to erase your mind after riding it. Yeah SLC from vekoma are terrible. Walibi Holland have one too, built when it was called Six flags Holland and man it is terrible. I never enjoyed it. Not even when it was new.
I remember waiting at least 2 hours around when nighthawk opened and being so disappointed with it even then. Truly an uncomfortable ride. The best part was the line where I could see the Borg theme at the time.
The new Vekoma SLC in Energylandia which has been produced by lasercutting the track like B&M does, and Vekoma now as well as for Mack rides. (The retracking of the Great Noreaster used the same technique). You can feel the difference in track producing. I wish Gerstlauer is moving by producing tracks the old fashioned way and beat people up, to lasercutting their tracks. It makes night and day in the ride smoothness.
Correction: Nighthawk was originally Stealth at California's Great America, it was relocated to Carowinds as Borg Assimilator during the Paramount days, and then dethemed and repainted to become Nighthawk when Cedar Fair bought the park from Paramount. So it's technically both a relocation AND a double retheme. It really needs the Great Nor'Easter treatment at this point, the track's been through a lot of abuse.
I'm from the Netherlands and I have to admit that I've actually only been in the number 1 but if you put the condor (vekoma suspended) from Walibi Holland next to Untamed, Express platform 13 and goliath, it doesn't score highly for me either. If you put the condor next to the Blue Fire, Wodan and Silverstar from Europa park, I don't need it at all. The seating position of the Wodan, Blue Fire and Silverstar is so good that the already beautiful ride experience becomes great. In the Netherlands he (vekoma suspended) is also much discussed as notorious and not in an exciting way. But there will definitely be people who like him and I respect that. It is still an opinion and someone will always disagree with it.
Thank you for mentioning Time Warp at Canada's Wonderland. I rode it last year and it is the only roller coaster I've ever ridden that actually made me feel genuinely unsafe. Maybe I'm just too skinny for the ride because I had to hold on for my life just so I didn't slip between the restraints and fall onto the ground. Especially when it was going up and doing turns. It was terrifying and not in a fun way. Oh yeah and also it was rough
honestly. i remember when i was younger and i was SO excited to go onto it only for it to be a massive let down. but nearly every other ride at Canada’s Wonderland? chef’s kiss 👌🏻
I actually used to really like Nighthawk at Carowinds. In my opinion, the ride experience wasn’t too bad and I loved the transition on the top of the lift from laying down on your back to going under the track. But then, as time went on, I noticed a glaring problem with the ride… it’s unreliable. Every time I visited Carowinds, it would take forever to go through the queue and if the coaster had break downs, it would last for a WHILE. And there goes a good chunk of the day (and for a visitor like me that drives from Florida, that’s a problem). By our last visit in 2019, we realized that the wait just wasn’t worth it, despite my guilty pleasure for it. I wouldn’t mind a better ride replacing it in the future. As for coasters I truly don’t like… there are two that stick out, and both are in an otherwise amazing, well-balanced park, Canada’s Wonderland. Let’s start with the one Zamperla Volare I’ve ridden, Time Warp. The trains are awkward, the layout felt strange, and the ride felt like it was dragging you through. Add to this mixture a touch of roughness and you get a very forgettable experience. When I got off, I was thinking “WTF did I just ride??” And then there’s Flight Deck, which I think is the worse of the two. I have a high tolerance for rough coasters, which is why I had a soft spot for Gwazi/Mean Streak (even though their RMC transformations are not just superior, but some of the best coasters on the planet). I even liked the two other SLCs I’ve ridden (Limit @ Heide Park, Riddler’s Revenge @ SFNE). But Flight Deck… oh god. First off, the track scheme is just UGLY. But the main problem here is that the restraints felt rock hard and with the awful roughness on the coaster mixed in, you get head-banging. Flight Deck’s the only coaster that gave me and my Dad headaches; we had to sit down afterwards. Flight Deck is currently, IMO, the worst coaster I’ve ridden.
Not a surprise seeing the Volare (especially time warp) & SLC on here, the latter still at #1. I’ve ridden both and while the SLC is at least tolerable to an extent, the Volare is awkward to ride, and feels more like a wild mouse than a true flying coaster.
I completely agree with you about SLCs... I've only experienced one, which is Blue Tornado at Gardaland, my home park, and I've always hated it. As I've been saying for years now, get new trains and do a retrack, or just tear the whole thing down and build something better in its place. The thing is... it's still one of the most popular rides at the park, and people seem to love it, so I don't see that happening anytime soon...
@@riparianlife97701 Exactly, the layout is actually pretty good for how compact it is... the elements are cool and pretty forceful too. The thing is, you can't enjoy the layout or the forces because you're too busy trying not to break every bone in your body (and mostly head)
Pretty solid list, I definitely disagree about Wildcat Hershey and Nighthawk though. I think they're both rough but pretty fun rides. Firebird also isn't too bad if you ride it in the back with your head forward. It's not great but definitely not one of the worst coasters ever
Firebird is a top 5 worst coaster I've been on and it's the worst in the park by a mile. Felt like I got into the ring with Mike Tyson. Needs to be scrapped.
Hershey's Wildcat is a great ride. It's a little rough in spots, but some other GCIs are rougher, and Wildcat has solid airtime. I don't see how anyone wouldn't like Nighthawk, unless it was just too intense for them. Firebird, on the other hand, yikes, my least favorite coaster ever.
As a Brazillian who rode its fair amount of coasters in North America (mostly on Cedar point to be fair), I'd like to Add the one and only Montezum coaster here in Sao Paulo. Which is a 23 yo wooden roller coaster made by RCCA and it got... really bad over the years. A few years ago, the park purchased a 10 inversion coaster by Itamin but due to financial crisis the coaster ended up in England😢
Can't believe Steeplechase at BPB is on this list. When me and my family rode this about 3 years ago we did nothing but laugh all the way round so it was one of the best rides I've ever been on for that reason and we didn't find it that bad either. I think there are actually worse rides at BPB
Huge surprise for me as well. Should’ve given the demerit to something genuinely bad instead, perhaps the Vekoma Boomerang? But yeah, Steeplechase is just silly, janky fun, nowhere near the top 10 worst coaster in the world.
I’d highly recommend riding Firebird in the back row. A few great airtime moments and the corkscrew is really the only uncomfortable part. I think the floorless conversion really helped it
@studio732jrl2 Well..I've only been to over 190 amusement parks in over 15 countries, closing in on 800 coasters total, so pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. I've ridden that particular coaster, and many other 4 seat wide coasters, starting in the early 90s. Yes, it's true on most all of them, the inner seats are always slightly smoother, sometimes much more so. Maybe read my other comment below, abouit riding rough steel coasters for a more in depth reason, and YES, on some steel coasters the back row is one of the smoothest rows!
@studio732jrl2 What truth are you talking about troll? The fact that yes, the middle rear seats are smoother or the truth that somehow you are triggered and "claim" you don't care, yet you continue to respond with useless, and laughable responses? Yeah, I responded with REAL information related to the post, but you just insult...who's looking for attention?
I've never ridden a roller coaster in my life (inner ear issues), but I enjoyed this video very much and hit the "Like" button. Well filmed, edited, and valid comments. Thanks.
Worst coasters I’ve done were the Mind Eraser at SFA, Firebird when it was Apocalypse also at SFA (aka when it was even worse), Wildcat HerPar, Anaconda at Kings Dominion, Roar at SFA, and for the love of Christ Vortex at Carowinds.
Anaconda at Kings Dominion literally left me with neck pain from the headbanging for a month. Worst ride I've ever ridden......and I grew up on Six Flags America Mind Eraser......so I've probably got brain damage at this point
@@tedansley rough and boring. That’s the reason. Compared to Mystic Timbers and Thunderhead, it’s god awful, especially now. Then again it’s been about 3 years since I last rode it. It was bad back in 2019.
@@Raptor3698 But it's not rough at all, I'd say more than 50% of the wood coasters I've ridden are more rough, and it flies especially at night. No, it no Thunderhead nor Mystic Timbers, I agree there, but its much better than so many other wood coasters. Thunderhead and Mystic Timbers are my two favorite GCI coasters and they fall just outside my top 10 wood.
I appreciate the little shout out at the end to Fønix in Fårup Sommerland. We dont have alot of the same big hyper, multi looping, rmc coasters over here so its nice when the coasters we do have get some praise.
It’s interesting that one of my favourite coasters ever, the Arkham Asylum - Shock Therapy is a Vekoma SLC, not sure if I have poor taste or if this one is just specifically decent but honestly worth a try if you’re ever in Australia
@studio732jrl2 .....umm, he said it was a SLC. If it was a RMC then it would probably be awesome, not depressing. Did you get confused between SLC and RMC? Like mixed up between the best and worst coasters, lol.
I'm so glad the Scream Machine is getting re-tracked. Used to be one of my favorites at SFOG (which is my home park), but it got to where I couldn't even ride it anymore because it was so rough. If they do it right, it has the potential to go on forever as a classic wooden coaster.
In regards to the firebird. I was literally just talking to my best friend last night suggesting that Green lantern in six flags great adventure (which is a stand up coaster) should be given a train like Medusa (formerly known as Bizarro and Medusa before that) because green lantern is PAINFUL. In fact I'm really hoping they get rid of it or at least make it a non standing coaster. So now thanks to this video I know it can be done.
Agree with number 1, The Riddler Revenge (originally Mind Eraser) at Six Flags New England, I remember feeling like I was getting my head banging against the seat and stuff. Did not feel good and I learned my mistake that day going on it. Not gonna go on it again until it possibly gets fixed for the better, last time I went to Six Flags was like 5 years ago so hopefully it changed for the better
Just went last weekend and can confirm it's still absolutely terrible and I won't ride it again, they changed the restraints to something weird but it's still so rough and uncomfortable
@@hedgehogcoasters7239 No, I've ridden it as Riddler, with the vest restraints and the new green paint, the play in the trains as it goes through the inversions is unchanged, and while there is no more headbanging, the ride is still far from smooth and enjoyable. Until Vekoma can fix the clearance between the sidestops and the rails, they will never be smooth
Luckily, I haven't ridden most of these rides. I have only ridden one SLC: Limit @ Heide Park in Germany. I was dreading it because I had heard so many horror stories from the enthusiast community about SLCs. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by Limit and ended up marathoning it. It was fun, had great force/whip, and was not rough. I'm significantly older than Coaster Studios, so when I say it's not rough you know it isn't.
I always thought the layout of SLC’s was pretty good. I think that since they’ve improved as a company, they could really change the entire experience of that model, because they really could be great if they’re executed better.
I seldom get around to amusement parks, but since you mentioned Six Flags, I’ve been to Great Adventure since the 90s and absolutely hated ‘Viper,’ ‘Medusa,’ ‘Superman,’ ‘The Great American Scream Machine,’ and ‘Batman.’ ‘Kingda Ka’ and ‘El York’ we’re good though.
WOW, I didn't expect Lake Compounce to show up here! I live in CT and used to go there all the time, but I thought it was just some small park that no one really has been besides people nearby. I was picturing the Wild Cat there for like the whole video and when you got to #2 and said it I was shocked. I haven't been there since 2006 but I can feel that turn and the pain it would always cause. I am afraid of roller coasters but I would always go on that one because it didn't seem intense, so I don't have a lot to compare it with, I could tell though that it was a rough one. **Wait, is it really Lake Compounce? I always thought it was Lake Compound, I feel so dumb now.
I'm going to hershey park for the first time this year, and I know it's got a really bad reputation, but I still wanna ride Wildcat. You know, just for that sweet, sweet credit
personally steamin demon was my childhood ride, one of the only roller coasters i would go on in great escape other than the wooden one bc i was scared and terrified of rides, but for some reason i loved steamin demon. But i respect your opinion and while i disagree with removing it i do agree with adding more coasters.
I'd actually wait a good while in line for Nighthawk if, after the swoop over the water, it went straight into a brake run. That one part's great, but not worth the torture. Current worse for me is Grizzly (KD) 5th row etc., oddly back of train is still good. Wildcat @LC, though easier on the track, MF trains are all wheel seats...?
oh god the grizzly. sitting in line watching the wood shake and wobble with every train made my anxiety spike, which only worsened when the shaky ass track bounced me up and down in my restraints. i hate that thing so much 😭
Interesting, NightHawk was one of my favorite coasters at Carowinds! It begins unlike any other ride, where you start on your back facing up towards the sun and go up the chain backwards. The constant flipping between rightside-up and upside-down was quite disorienting (in a fun way), while facing inside during the loop was a very unique feature.
Nighthawk is honestly pretty good. The only things that kill the ride for me is the fact that it’s so hard to actually get on (ride breaks all the time), and I absolutely hate the break run at the end where you just lay on your back for 5 minutes, with those restraints it feels claustrophobic. Other than that the actual ride is pretty fun, the corkscrews are wacky af but they are kinda fun, feels like a plane crash minus the fatal pain you would experience in a plane crash.
For me, my bottom 10 would be 10. Super Train Tokaido, Tivoli World 9. Jozi Express, Gold Reef City 8. Steeplechase, BPB 7. Turbo, Brighton Pier 6. Infusion, BPB 5. G-Force, Drayton Manor (2005-2018) 4. Euro Coaster, travelling 3. MP-Express, Movie Park Germany 2. Blue Tornado, Gardaland 1. Alpine Thriller, travelling
I knew Ninja would be on here and I'm proud to say I've been a St Louisan for over 20 years and love it. I absolutely understand the reasons and agree, but the mix of nostalgia and just how cool it is keeps me loving it even though it's hated. I'm torn between wanting something new there and also keeping it for nostalgia sake.
It is a fun ride, if you keep your head forward. Great airtime on the drop in the back, scary headchopper, and some intensity. Nothing spectacular, but still not bad.
I'd have zero issue with this thing going away and it's a PRIME location for a hyper. Just think - brake run and station on Ninja's plot of land and then the layout can head towards the water park following the railroad. Hang a right, continue between the water park and Batman, turnaround near the front entrance and head back.
I used to go to Six Flag STL several times a year as a kid through my early 20s. The Ninja has always been terrible. As soon as I was old enough to be left alone I would just wait outside it if others in my party wanted to ride. Don't need a concussion.
I usually like rough rides and that one sits right at my rough limit. I still enjoyed it, but non nearly as much as I would have if it were only as rough as something like lightning racer. It's definitely a piece of crap and could use some major retracking
@@natewill1464 Yeah I don't think Lightning Racer is rough which was kinda my point. I was saying that I think Wildcat would benefit from feeling more like that. But I wouldn't call Lightning Racer a smooth ride either. I thought it was about average for a wood coaster, but I also only ever rode that thing in the back so that might have something to do with it.
Haha I’m surprised that my home park SFMM was spared of being on the list. I thought Viper was for sure gonna be on here. I also absolutely agree with Great American Scream machine, just an awful coaster that should be torched or demolished lol. I also rode Ninja when it was there. Total crap coaster as well. SF over Georgia in general is just a bad park I’m sorry. I been there 3 times and all were terrible experiences. Anyway, great video sir! Can’t wait for your European content to drop this summer! ❤️
I would definitely swap SLCs and the Volares around! I have a high pain tolerance but Jesus Christ Volares suck! Especially Hero at Flamingo Land, worst rollercoaster ever built on the planet easily: even worse than green lantern 🤮
@@Gabes1321 Oh yea I know, I was more answering your comment, what I meant was ironically flamingo lands slc Is actually really good while they have the worst volare, so they have two worst coasters on the list but 1 of them is actually really good, weirdly. 😂
@@woodstockresinworks2972 yeah honestly I don’t even know why they bought hero in the first place with all the awful reviews about time warp but it’s still the most popular ride in the park somehow 💀
SFOG Scream Machine is indeed rough as all get out. This park was only 2 hours from where I grew up. I'm not sure if it was because I was still just a kid, but in its early days I don't remember it being so rough. As an adult, it beats the hell out of me, the last time I rode, I was sore for days.
I have ridden Firehawk when it used to be at Six Flags Great America as Iron Wolf. And when I rode it, it had become very rough. One honorable mention belongs to pre-RMC Gwazi. It was my first and thus far only experience with GCI and it was rougher than the back of an alligator. Another honorable mention is Mean Streak, but now it's Steel Vengeance, and much better.
I did Ninja 3 times in one day when I went with my family. My dad actually waited to do it on opening day! I really liked it. Sure it was rough but so is Kumba at Busch Gardens and it doesn’t bother me. I thought it was really fun!
I attended the Great Escape from 1995-2000 so my opinion of the Steamin Demon was with rose-tinted glasses because I was between age 3-8. Even if it was a horrible Arrow, it was my first Arrow and one I always wanted to do since you could always hear the screams from the parking lot. I rode the ride again in 2009, and I was nearly 17. The way the harnesses fit on my tallet body felt like I was in a washing machine drum. The area was also not much to speak of; weed, crusty and rusted paint, etc.
I got so happy when I saw you mention the nor’easter I go to wildwood every summer and I love that ride! It is definitely a great one and I recommend to anyone that goes there!
American Scream Machine was my second coaster, it’s so fun to me but it’s one of those rides where you need to pick a good seat or it’ll be hard for you to like. I think it needs a GCI but it’s probably better as a traditional wooden coaster with its layout.
I feel like SLC's have redeemable factors, that being the layout. Great Nor'easter is proof SLCs CAN be good. It's the shotty profiling and restraints that kill it. Back then I'd put Big Apple or Green Lantern as #1.
I grew up with the Great Escape, being local to the Albany area. I think it's very telling how any time we had a field trip there in School EVERYONE would run to the back of the park for The Comet and NO ONE would go over to Steamin Demon. My first Roller Coaster was Steamin Demon so I was used to it, but I'm so glad I've gotten to experience much better Coasters because Steamin Demon FREAKING HURTS.
Whats sad is Six Flags leaves the Great Escape out to die when it COULD be an amazing tucked away destination. I LOVED the Great Escape during 1995-2000 because my family had a house in Bolton Landing. The Steamin Demon could easily be replaced with a Zierer or Eurofighter that would catch your eye from the parking lot. Use the profits a year later to replace Alpine Bobsleds with an RMC.
I totally agree with Wildcat at Hershey. It is INCREDIBLY rough and I’m very happy that they’re replacing it. I rode it one more time only because it’s closing July 31.
Literally on a trip right now where I'm about to get first rides on Steamin Demon and Lake Compound Wildcat - can't wait! Also just rode Ednor, which reminded me how bad SLCs are. And it seems they all find their own way to beat you up, most of them head banging, T3 is more of a body crusher, and this one had shoulder "pads" that of course just made it worse...always a pleasure!
Idk if anything has changed since a few years ago, but when I rode Roar at SFA it was absolutely the roughest wooden coaster I had ever been on. You could hear the shaking in the screams of the riders it was that bad
as a blackpool pleasure beach regular, i’m still trying to work out what’s worse - the hip bruises you get from steeplechase or the shoulder bruises you get from the SLC
3: Thank you. I can't believe someone mentioned this. Great Escape is my home park, and I used to go even pre-Premier Parks/Six Flags ownership. They sold it to the corporation in 1996. And the reason the coaster sucks? It's why most of the park sucks: it was installed pre-Six Flags, just like almost all the rides. This one opened in 1984, so its 38 years old. And it was built by Arrow who simply copy pasted each ride element and scaled up or down dependent of the height, without a clue how it'd affect G forces. And yet NO ONE believes me how bad it is. The last time I got off, I'd slammed my head around so much I had my vision completely distort itself because I'd never had a migraine so bad.
I knew some of your picks would pain me, but Firebird is my absolute least favorite coaster of all time, out of over 500. I just can't believe a coaster that bad exists. I would also agree with you about Steamin Demon & Lake Compounce's Wildcat. All the others on your list, I like those rides to a certain degree. Nighthawk isn't as good as Batwing, but I still like it a lot. It's never been very rough for me.
Wildcat was one of my favorite wooden rollercoasters, no matter how painful everyone says it is. I love rmc and all, and I’m glad my home park is getting one, but I will still miss the original.
If my calculations are correct, he has ridden 32% of the worlds coasters. (They were incorrect - it’s actually 16% sorry Taylor)
No, there are over 5000 coasters worldwide.
@@tedansley okay I looked again and according to RCDB there are 5,044. So that means he’s only ridden ~16%. My bad.
🤓
@@hhatt yes. doing simple math makes me a nerd. lmao okay.
That’s why he’s only rating the ones HE has been on
We’ve literally waited 5 years for this video to be brought back. Good to see it again.
TPA! Ur rap battle was fire
@@ballshd68419 thanks!
Anaconda is sad to fall off the list.
Ikr
@@StamfordBridge I dont even think it was even on the list last time
I 100% agree about Wildcat at Lake Compounce. As someone who grew up in/lives in Connecticut, it was a childhood classic. But when I got off of it last year, I was actually concerned that I sprained my lower back. The problem is that they can't tear it down; it's around 100 years old. I wouldn't be upset to see it get replaced by a proper GCI, but it's part of history so it's understandable why its just kind of stuck operating there.
Why did I read that in your voice in my head
I just commented almost the same thing! I haven't been since 2006 but wow did it hurt to ride that one.
i love firebird but six flags amarica needs more coasters to th mix
Agreed. I effing hate Wildcat. That and Boulder Dash. But I was never a Compounce fan to begin with.
Eh, I don't really care for the whole "it's part of history thing." Coasters are meant to be ridden, and if the ride experience is horrendous, something needs to be done about it. They could just completely rebuild it exactly like it was, like Universal did with The Hulk.
"Nighthawk" was actually called "Stealth" when it was at CGA. It was the Borg Assimilator at Carowinds before it was repainted and themed at the same park.
Oops, my bad! Small error
Also the first vekoma flying Dutchman, probably the age attributes to the roughness
Oh daddy.
@@muhammadismaeel6376 ayo wtf
It was constantly down for service. I rode it once as Stealth and it was nothing special.
All of these were built at least 20 years ago. Shows that coasters are getting better as time goes on.
Generally speaking yes but like some newer coasters within the past 15 years are thought poorly of
with the one exception being time warp at canadas wonderland, since that opened in 2004. Then again, its prototype opened in the early 2000s, so yeah
@@hedgehogcoasters7239 true, but i think that the point here is: the worst coasters today arent as bad as the worst coasters decades ago.
i think the gap between bad coasters and good coasters remain fairly constant, but both the floor and ceiling of quality rise together.
And that certain rides age pretty badly. A coaster which might be ok enough in its first year may be unbearable after 20 years.
@@Thim22Z7 B&Ms age well. Nemesis, galactica and all the B&Ms I’ve done are still smooth
Nighthawk was actually called Stealth at CGA, not Borg Assimilator. It got the Star Trek theming when it was moved to Carowinds.
My apologies, small mistake!
@@CoasterStudios are you guys coming to SFGRAM soon? (If you know) I work at Demon/Lobster and I would love to meet you guys one day.
T3 (Kentucky Kingdom) is the worst of the SLC standard model to me. Trains are built for abuse. Nighthawk is only bad because of the corkscrews at the end.
And it was great back in the day! I was very sad to see it on this list, but I know what can happen to coasters when they're moved that far and then age 15 years.
The thing about Steeplechase is that you actually fully expect to fall off your horse but never do.
Wildcat to me is my favorite wooden coaster because of how rough it is. It makes it feel more out of control which was intended.
Colossus at Thorpe Park has gotta be on there. I know when you went it wasn’t so bad, but in the past year it is a literal pin ball machine on your head, it is beyond painful.
Fun fact - It hit a woman’s head so hard that it shifted her brain tumour, which she didn’t know about, which made it known, so it technically saved her life
by being so rough.
Oh I forgot about that one! I was so excited to ride it (I am American) and then came off extremely disappointed
Ironically I rode Colossus for the first time a few weeks ago and found it butter smooth! Probably helped that I had no headbanging as I'm 6ft 2 though. Saw on the other hand was painfully rough, even though I also had no headbanging.
Ugh, I don't like that ride at all. Rough, like you said, but also with cramped and uncomfortable trains and those last few inversions make me feel sick.
Intamins seem very variable to me. Some are among my favourite rides, while others are just horrible.
@@matthewrobertson95 it may be the trains, because my first ride on colossus a few years ago was painless. but it is just so bad now
Colossus is a great ride
Oh man, Steamin' Demon at #3 gave me some unexpected whiplash! I was born and raised in upstate New York, so my family would always visit Great Escape every year. Comet and Steamin' Demon were my first and second coasters I ever rode, and I remember loving them both. However, the last time I rode it would be back around 2003, so something tells me that the past 20 years have probably done this ride wrong, which is a shame. Obviously it would never be able to go head to head with modern coasters, it is such a simple ride, but for what it was back then, it helped fuel my love of roller coasters. It's a shame to see it's gotten so bad, but hopefully I can ride it again before it's ever removed for old times sake, as much as it may try to kill me.
Lived in Clifton Park NY, was always at Great Escape and they were my first roller coasters also. Lol don’t live there now but I did enjoy Great Escape growing up.
I’ve been on it it’s not terrible
Last time I rode it about 3 years ago it had gotten rough ( not unrideable). I always hoped sixflags would have put more into Great Escape but it seems like they invest just what needs to be done and not much more.
The whiplash tho💀
I didnt hate Steamin Pile as much as you did but your reaction to that sounds like my reaction to Corkscrew at Mich Adventure
Steamin Demon was the roughest piece of trash I have ever ridden
A lot of these old arrow corkscrews seem to be a hit or miss
@@CoasterStudios It's because of where you sit. The best place to sit is the last or second to last row because you are near the zero car which helps smooth out the transitions somewhat. The further away you are from the zero car the rougher it gets and this goes for all Arrow Loopers except for Tennessee Tornado because it's the only one not designed and built by hand
@@AdamSmith-gs2dv Good to know! My home park Arrow is Carolina Cyclone, which I find to be terribly rough and jerky even in the front with defensive riding, although others call it smooth? However Tennessee Tornado is miles ahead of Carolina Crap and I prefer it even to Thunderhead. Where did you learn this info? Just wondering cause I'm a newer enthusiast and trying to find how to properly ride different models.
The one coaster that I absolutely refuse to ever get back on again: The Hurler at Carowinds. I got on it with my cousin and we were the ONLY people even near that ride aside from workers. It was terrifyingly rough, literally felt like we were coming off the track from how much it was rocking, and my seat belt snapped in half so I was literally curled around the already flimsy lap bar. Never again.
Hurler is at my home park. Not sure what was going on but Hurler isn't rough normally. The problem with it is that it is BORING. Literally nothing interesting happens.
honestly, my ride wasnt THAT bad. definently not the worst one ive been on.
For me, the absolute worst coaster is definitely Boomerang at SFSTL. And this is coming from someone who has ridden T3, Ninja, and Corkscrew at CP. It broke my dad's $100 sun glasses he had in his pocket and the second catch car lift hurt so much, it felt like the anti roll back on a lift hill was a foot behind so you just get slammed back so hard.
IDK why they didn't replace those old crappy Arrow trains during the move. Boomerangs with Arrow trains are the worst
I rode it in 2011 when it was at Six flags over Texas and it hurt a lot
Couldn’t agree more, the catch car lifts on Vekoma Boomerangs are just brutal. The way they thrash your skull into the head rest several times is just horrible. This happened to me on Boomerang at Wild Adventures last year and I think it also happened on the one at SFSTL when I rode it
@@CoasterGaming OK, image that but even worse cause it is several years older and got relocated which only makes it rougher.
I agree. T3 is at my home park and I’ve visited SFSTL. Boomerang was the only ride that gave me a headache.
I rode Steamin Demon, it was so roughy and uncomfortable, I was expecting a normal arrow looper but this was just so bad that it hurt… a LOT.
Lol
"Roller coasters that are intended to thrill" *Steeple Chase * 🤣
"I'm not including kiddie or family coasters"... "Steeple Chase is a family coaster" 🤦♂
Yes. Although I love vintage coasters and often will disagree with enthusiasts about them, Wildcat at Lake Compounce is the bumpiest coaster I’ve ever ridden. It’s such a shame because it is beautiful and historic. Some of the families I spoke with at the park say that little kids like it.
Finally an updated version! So excited.
I have to agree with you about Hershey's Wildcat. The last time I rode it it shook me up so much I was dizzy and couldn't sleep. But if you look past the roughness it has a great layout one that has a lot of potential for an RMC
You have gotten your wish. Kitty Vengeance looks amazing.
@@hellacia8151 it's actually called "Wildcat's Revenge" but you're right it looks amazing I haven't ridden it yet though
I haven’t been on a lot of rides, but being from St. Louis, I can definitely say that The Ninja definitely deserves its spot on the list. I hated that ride growing up. And yes, it does feel like a ninja is beating you up on that ride.
As a St Louis native I can't agree more with Ninja's addition to this list. It is such a bad coaster it blows my mind they haven't knocked it down to do better with the space
Dang, I've riden several coasters on this list, but the one that actually saddens me the most is Wildcat at Lake Compounce. Glad I got to ride it one last time before they ruined it.
Been a CT resident my whole life and I’ve ridden the Wildcat more times that ide care to admit. I remember them doing maintenance on it one year but never connected the dots when me and some buds came back a year or two later and rode it again. We didn’t know what or why all we knew was we rode it and it WAS NOT the same ride we had ridden since we were kids. It was never an amazing coaster by modern standards but this time we got off literally bruised. It was a genuinely painful experience lol. Some of these steel coasters might be uncomfortable but the trade off was at least found in some foundational level of thrill given the speed and other aspects of modern coasters. Wildcat was already a dated slow rickety coaster that offered a somewhat underwhelming experience. It’s size is deceiving because the speed and the thrill level by today’s standards offered something closer to a kiddy coaster than a full on thrill ride. I think the coasters main attraction was always simply the novelty of riding a coaster so old , getting to feel the experience of something that was a product of its time in spite of how poorly it might have aged in the thrill department. The track reworking sucked whatever minimal amount of thrills it had left out and the novelty of the coaster isn’t great enough a factor to justify the price of admission which is simply put….pain😂 an already slow and dated coaster, getting in line for the Wildcat now is akin to willingly getting inside of a sardine can and being shaken violently and gaining absolutely nothing in return💀
5:12 it used to operate as “Stealth” at Paramount’s Great America.
I completely agree with number 1!! I went on Kong here at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom back when it was still Marine World. I was like 14 and never rode it again! Made the terrible mistake of riding it the day after getting both ear my cartilages pierced. The second we started trekking up the lift hill instant regret 🙃😩 I pray they remove it and put something thrill worthy but the city building limits prevents the possibilities.
#1
Yeah, I agree. When I rode Kong at Discovery Kingdom, I felt like I spent more time trying to keep my head off the restraints than actually enjoying the ride. I feel like if it had better restraints and smoother track, it could actually be a great ride, but man that thing is rough in its current state.
When I first rode Kong at DK. Yeah I just like braced myself against one side and rode defensively. I don't know why I tried to ride it more then once, maybe its because it at the time was the only other suspended coaster in Northern California (the other being Top Gun/Flight Deck at CGA). But yeah Kong is a bad uncomfortable ride
Kong.... DK..... Any possible Universal Super Mario sponsorship?
Kong is terrible, I refused to take my brother on who wanted to try it.
I've never ridden any other flying dutchman other than Nighthawk when it was Stealth at what was Paramount's Great America, and I met a couple enthusiasts with more ride time than me with rides around the US, and they thought the other versions with the outside inline twist was more uncomfortable. So if others agree with you on this one, maybe you're right that something was messed up in Nighthawk's move.
it's really funny to hear you mention Nighthawk, because i remember being 13ish and Carowinds was my first ever amusement park, I remember Nighthawk had broken down or was having issues and there was a huge line and I just thought to myself 'man, I'm not going on there'
I recently went to Six Flags Darien Lake, and I can agree. The "Mind Eraser" Which is just a Vekoma SLC, is VERY bad. Stay away. From the headbanging, to the uncomfortable seats. Everything is bad on this coaster. What are your thoughts?
Got the exact same one at Elitches. I hate it.
In Italy at Gardaland there is "Blue tornado" which is one of the earliest Vekoma SLC and it was the first inverted coaster in Europe, the ride was good when it was released but now it seriously needs a retracking, the layout is too rough to be enjoyable and i hope they're gonna change it but since Merlin entertainment bought Gardaland i don't think they will
I was just there and it was absolutely terrible. It was my first time at Six Flags Darien Lake and I saw mind eraser and got so excited because it’s essentially the same as Montu from Busch Gardens Tampa but it was so rough and I got a terrible headache for the rest of the day.
Well maybe the name is quite striking then. If is so roughy it erases your mind. Or you want to erase your mind after riding it.
Yeah SLC from vekoma are terrible. Walibi Holland have one too, built when it was called Six flags Holland and man it is terrible. I never enjoyed it. Not even when it was new.
@@gdfra4733the first inverted coaster in Europe was el condor at walibi holland which was the first slc
happy to see that this top 10 is making a comeback on this channel
I've done Wildcat at LC before they retracked it. I usually called it Earthquake the coaster, but honestly, loved it.
have you been on Phobia Phear at Lake Compounce
@@evelynsmith8419 I haven't. Last time I was there was around 2014 for Holiday Lights.
@@craigauclair4026 okay Phobia phear opened in 2018 I been on it
@@evelynsmith8419 I definitely want to try it.
@@craigauclair4026 It's a very quick ride
It’s about time we got a new version of this!!
I remember waiting at least 2 hours around when nighthawk opened and being so disappointed with it even then. Truly an uncomfortable ride. The best part was the line where I could see the Borg theme at the time.
The new Vekoma SLC in Energylandia which has been produced by lasercutting the track like B&M does, and Vekoma now as well as for Mack rides. (The retracking of the Great Noreaster used the same technique). You can feel the difference in track producing. I wish Gerstlauer is moving by producing tracks the old fashioned way and beat people up, to lasercutting their tracks. It makes night and day in the ride smoothness.
Correction: Nighthawk was originally Stealth at California's Great America, it was relocated to Carowinds as Borg Assimilator during the Paramount days, and then dethemed and repainted to become Nighthawk when Cedar Fair bought the park from Paramount. So it's technically both a relocation AND a double retheme. It really needs the Great Nor'Easter treatment at this point, the track's been through a lot of abuse.
I'm from the Netherlands and I have to admit that I've actually only been in the number 1 but if you put the condor (vekoma suspended) from Walibi Holland next to Untamed, Express platform 13 and goliath, it doesn't score highly for me either. If you put the condor next to the Blue Fire, Wodan and Silverstar from Europa park, I don't need it at all.
The seating position of the Wodan, Blue Fire and Silverstar is so good that the already beautiful ride experience becomes great.
In the Netherlands he (vekoma suspended) is also much discussed as notorious and not in an exciting way. But there will definitely be people who like him and I respect that. It is still an opinion and someone will always disagree with it.
Thank you for mentioning Time Warp at Canada's Wonderland. I rode it last year and it is the only roller coaster I've ever ridden that actually made me feel genuinely unsafe. Maybe I'm just too skinny for the ride because I had to hold on for my life just so I didn't slip between the restraints and fall onto the ground. Especially when it was going up and doing turns. It was terrifying and not in a fun way. Oh yeah and also it was rough
honestly. i remember when i was younger and i was SO excited to go onto it only for it to be a massive let down. but nearly every other ride at Canada’s Wonderland? chef’s kiss 👌🏻
@@taintloafFlight Deck.
I actually used to really like Nighthawk at Carowinds. In my opinion, the ride experience wasn’t too bad and I loved the transition on the top of the lift from laying down on your back to going under the track. But then, as time went on, I noticed a glaring problem with the ride… it’s unreliable. Every time I visited Carowinds, it would take forever to go through the queue and if the coaster had break downs, it would last for a WHILE. And there goes a good chunk of the day (and for a visitor like me that drives from Florida, that’s a problem). By our last visit in 2019, we realized that the wait just wasn’t worth it, despite my guilty pleasure for it. I wouldn’t mind a better ride replacing it in the future.
As for coasters I truly don’t like… there are two that stick out, and both are in an otherwise amazing, well-balanced park, Canada’s Wonderland. Let’s start with the one Zamperla Volare I’ve ridden, Time Warp. The trains are awkward, the layout felt strange, and the ride felt like it was dragging you through. Add to this mixture a touch of roughness and you get a very forgettable experience. When I got off, I was thinking “WTF did I just ride??”
And then there’s Flight Deck, which I think is the worse of the two. I have a high tolerance for rough coasters, which is why I had a soft spot for Gwazi/Mean Streak (even though their RMC transformations are not just superior, but some of the best coasters on the planet). I even liked the two other SLCs I’ve ridden (Limit @ Heide Park, Riddler’s Revenge @ SFNE). But Flight Deck… oh god. First off, the track scheme is just UGLY. But the main problem here is that the restraints felt rock hard and with the awful roughness on the coaster mixed in, you get head-banging. Flight Deck’s the only coaster that gave me and my Dad headaches; we had to sit down afterwards. Flight Deck is currently, IMO, the worst coaster I’ve ridden.
my dude be writing an entire essay
Not a surprise seeing the Volare (especially time warp) & SLC on here, the latter still at #1.
I’ve ridden both and while the SLC is at least tolerable to an extent, the Volare is awkward to ride, and feels more like a wild mouse than a true flying coaster.
I completely agree with you about SLCs... I've only experienced one, which is Blue Tornado at Gardaland, my home park, and I've always hated it. As I've been saying for years now, get new trains and do a retrack, or just tear the whole thing down and build something better in its place.
The thing is... it's still one of the most popular rides at the park, and people seem to love it, so I don't see that happening anytime soon...
It's sad. They have compact, busy layouts with what should be a lot of fun elements.
@@riparianlife97701 Exactly, the layout is actually pretty good for how compact it is... the elements are cool and pretty forceful too. The thing is, you can't enjoy the layout or the forces because you're too busy trying not to break every bone in your body (and mostly head)
Pretty solid list, I definitely disagree about Wildcat Hershey and Nighthawk though. I think they're both rough but pretty fun rides. Firebird also isn't too bad if you ride it in the back with your head forward. It's not great but definitely not one of the worst coasters ever
Should've been titled "Least Favorite Coasters I've Ridden"
Firebird is a top 5 worst coaster I've been on and it's the worst in the park by a mile. Felt like I got into the ring with Mike Tyson. Needs to be scrapped.
Hershey's Wildcat is a great ride. It's a little rough in spots, but some other GCIs are rougher, and Wildcat has solid airtime. I don't see how anyone wouldn't like Nighthawk, unless it was just too intense for them. Firebird, on the other hand, yikes, my least favorite coaster ever.
As a Brazillian who rode its fair amount of coasters in North America (mostly on Cedar point to be fair), I'd like to Add the one and only Montezum coaster here in Sao Paulo. Which is a 23 yo wooden roller coaster made by RCCA and it got... really bad over the years. A few years ago, the park purchased a 10 inversion coaster by Itamin but due to financial crisis the coaster ended up in England😢
Can't believe Steeplechase at BPB is on this list. When me and my family rode this about 3 years ago we did nothing but laugh all the way round so it was one of the best rides I've ever been on for that reason and we didn't find it that bad either. I think there are actually worse rides at BPB
Huge surprise for me as well. Should’ve given the demerit to something genuinely bad instead, perhaps the Vekoma Boomerang? But yeah, Steeplechase is just silly, janky fun, nowhere near the top 10 worst coaster in the world.
@@randomtask87 BOB doesn’t have a boomerang, there’s an Arrow shuttle loop which I like.
@@katashworth41 They meant a boomerang on the main list, not in BPB rankings.
Eh, this guy is just a modern day coasterboy, who’s all about airtime, airtime, airtime…
@@Booth81 And are you not modern day?
Couldn't agree more about the Vekoma SLC's. ESPECIALLY Mind Eraser at Elitch Gardens, ugh. Great video, glad to see a much- needed update!
I’d highly recommend riding Firebird in the back row. A few great airtime moments and the corkscrew is really the only uncomfortable part. I think the floorless conversion really helped it
Yup, and in a middle seat, much better.
@studio732jrl2 Well..I've only been to over 190 amusement parks in over 15 countries, closing in on 800 coasters total, so pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. I've ridden that particular coaster, and many other 4 seat wide coasters, starting in the early 90s. Yes, it's true on most all of them, the inner seats are always slightly smoother, sometimes much more so. Maybe read my other comment below, abouit riding rough steel coasters for a more in depth reason, and YES, on some steel coasters the back row is one of the smoothest rows!
@studio732jrl2 ok... yeah right... you don't care but decided to respond. 😀 Wow, that's actually funny, trying to CYA.
@studio732jrl2 What truth are you talking about troll? The fact that yes, the middle rear seats are smoother or the truth that somehow you are triggered and "claim" you don't care, yet you continue to respond with useless, and laughable responses? Yeah, I responded with REAL information related to the post, but you just insult...who's looking for attention?
I've never ridden a roller coaster in my life (inner ear issues), but I enjoyed this video very much and hit the "Like" button. Well filmed, edited, and valid comments. Thanks.
Worst coasters I’ve done were the Mind Eraser at SFA, Firebird when it was Apocalypse also at SFA (aka when it was even worse), Wildcat HerPar, Anaconda at Kings Dominion, Roar at SFA, and for the love of Christ Vortex at Carowinds.
Anaconda at Kings Dominion literally left me with neck pain from the headbanging for a month. Worst ride I've ever ridden......and I grew up on Six Flags America Mind Eraser......so I've probably got brain damage at this point
Roar is a GREAT wood coaster, not sure what you're talking about with that one?
@@tedansley rough and boring. That’s the reason. Compared to Mystic Timbers and Thunderhead, it’s god awful, especially now. Then again it’s been about 3 years since I last rode it. It was bad back in 2019.
@@Raptor3698 But it's not rough at all, I'd say more than 50% of the wood coasters I've ridden are more rough, and it flies especially at night. No, it no Thunderhead nor Mystic Timbers, I agree there, but its much better than so many other wood coasters. Thunderhead and Mystic Timbers are my two favorite GCI coasters and they fall just outside my top 10 wood.
I appreciate the little shout out at the end to Fønix in Fårup Sommerland. We dont have alot of the same big hyper, multi looping, rmc coasters over here so its nice when the coasters we do have get some praise.
It’s interesting that one of my favourite coasters ever, the Arkham Asylum - Shock Therapy is a Vekoma SLC, not sure if I have poor taste or if this one is just specifically decent but honestly worth a try if you’re ever in Australia
@studio732jrl2 .....umm, he said it was a SLC. If it was a RMC then it would probably be awesome, not depressing. Did you get confused between SLC and RMC? Like mixed up between the best and worst coasters, lol.
I'm so glad the Scream Machine is getting re-tracked. Used to be one of my favorites at SFOG (which is my home park), but it got to where I couldn't even ride it anymore because it was so rough. If they do it right, it has the potential to go on forever as a classic wooden coaster.
I haven't rode it in a few years. Is the end stop still brutal?
for me
1. Any Coaster from RCCA
In regards to the firebird. I was literally just talking to my best friend last night suggesting that Green lantern in six flags great adventure (which is a stand up coaster) should be given a train like Medusa (formerly known as Bizarro and Medusa before that) because green lantern is PAINFUL. In fact I'm really hoping they get rid of it or at least make it a non standing coaster.
So now thanks to this video I know it can be done.
I Literally just got off time warp, I have a massive headache
They actually recently shut down the Wildcat in Hersheypark in July.
Great List! My least favorite ever was Green Latern at Magic Mountain before it was relocated.
Yes!!! And Flashback was pretty freaking terrible as well!!!
Agree with number 1, The Riddler Revenge (originally Mind Eraser) at Six Flags New England, I remember feeling like I was getting my head banging against the seat and stuff. Did not feel good and I learned my mistake that day going on it. Not gonna go on it again until it possibly gets fixed for the better, last time I went to Six Flags was like 5 years ago so hopefully it changed for the better
Just went last weekend and can confirm it's still absolutely terrible and I won't ride it again, they changed the restraints to something weird but it's still so rough and uncomfortable
@@itsKegger Thanks for updating! So I still won’t return to that ride and I’ll go on Superman, Batman, The Joker and stuff like that instead
Riddlers revenge at SFNE is actually pretty decent too. Mind eraser was awful but the new restraints are comfortable and you don’t get headbanging
I was looking for this comment. I think that ride is very enjoyable. It runs janky still but no headbanging and is a solid layout
I'm sorry but no, the trains still jostled and jerked around, hurting my legs and lower body
I just rode riddler yesterday and you're absolutely right. I don't think he's ridden it as riddler though, just as mind eraser
@@hedgehogcoasters7239 No, I've ridden it as Riddler, with the vest restraints and the new green paint, the play in the trains as it goes through the inversions is unchanged, and while there is no more headbanging, the ride is still far from smooth and enjoyable. Until Vekoma can fix the clearance between the sidestops and the rails, they will never be smooth
@@coastaku1954 really? I never feel any pain after getting off. You may move around a little in the train, but it's never hurt me
Agreed about SLC's. T3 at KK is probably my #1 worst. Restraints pinched my legs so bad I had pain for days.
Luckily, I haven't ridden most of these rides. I have only ridden one SLC: Limit @ Heide Park in Germany. I was dreading it because I had heard so many horror stories from the enthusiast community about SLCs. I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised by Limit and ended up marathoning it. It was fun, had great force/whip, and was not rough. I'm significantly older than Coaster Studios, so when I say it's not rough you know it isn't.
infusion tho🖕
Yeah maybe Im just a masochist but I love Flight Deck which is commonly brought up as the worst Vekoma SLC.
7:45 may be a little controversial but this is how i feel about magnum
I always thought the layout of SLC’s was pretty good. I think that since they’ve improved as a company, they could really change the entire experience of that model, because they really could be great if they’re executed better.
They have. Look up Hals Uber Kopf. What's really amazing is that it's an inverted coaster that goes upside down with LAPBARS!
@@AdamSmith-gs2dvmost roller coasters nowadays go upside down with lap bars
I seldom get around to amusement parks, but since you mentioned Six Flags, I’ve been to Great Adventure since the 90s and absolutely hated ‘Viper,’ ‘Medusa,’ ‘Superman,’ ‘The Great American Scream Machine,’ and ‘Batman.’ ‘Kingda Ka’ and ‘El York’ we’re good though.
WOW, I didn't expect Lake Compounce to show up here! I live in CT and used to go there all the time, but I thought it was just some small park that no one really has been besides people nearby. I was picturing the Wild Cat there for like the whole video and when you got to #2 and said it I was shocked. I haven't been there since 2006 but I can feel that turn and the pain it would always cause. I am afraid of roller coasters but I would always go on that one because it didn't seem intense, so I don't have a lot to compare it with, I could tell though that it was a rough one. **Wait, is it really Lake Compounce? I always thought it was Lake Compound, I feel so dumb now.
1. El Condor - Walibi Holland. No explanation needed.
can u do an updated version of ur top 10 coasters?
I'm going to hershey park for the first time this year, and I know it's got a really bad reputation, but I still wanna ride Wildcat. You know, just for that sweet, sweet credit
Even at Carowinds alone, nighthawk may not be spectacular but it’s sure better than Vortex.
Yeah I find it much more enjoyable than vortex. Nighthawk has really bad operations though
personally steamin demon was my childhood ride, one of the only roller coasters i would go on in great escape other than the wooden one bc i was scared and terrified of rides, but for some reason i loved steamin demon. But i respect your opinion and while i disagree with removing it i do agree with adding more coasters.
I'd actually wait a good while in line for Nighthawk if, after the swoop over the water, it went straight into a brake run. That one part's great, but not worth the torture.
Current worse for me is Grizzly (KD) 5th row etc., oddly back of train is still good.
Wildcat @LC, though easier on the track, MF trains are all wheel seats...?
oh god the grizzly. sitting in line watching the wood shake and wobble with every train made my anxiety spike, which only worsened when the shaky ass track bounced me up and down in my restraints. i hate that thing so much 😭
Interesting, NightHawk was one of my favorite coasters at Carowinds! It begins unlike any other ride, where you start on your back facing up towards the sun and go up the chain backwards. The constant flipping between rightside-up and upside-down was quite disorienting (in a fun way), while facing inside during the loop was a very unique feature.
Man I love nighthawk, it isn’t as rough as ppl make it out to be and isn’t nearly as bad as anything else here. Never got the hate for it.
Agreed. It's a great ride, not very rough at all. I catch flack for personally ranking it ahead of Afterburn, but I stand by it.
Exactly how I feel. Absolutely love the ride don’t get the hate for it at all.
@@OklahomaCoasterFan the me nighthawk and afterburn are neck and neck I’d go either way.
Nighthawk is honestly pretty good. The only things that kill the ride for me is the fact that it’s so hard to actually get on (ride breaks all the time), and I absolutely hate the break run at the end where you just lay on your back for 5 minutes, with those restraints it feels claustrophobic. Other than that the actual ride is pretty fun, the corkscrews are wacky af but they are kinda fun, feels like a plane crash minus the fatal pain you would experience in a plane crash.
For me, my bottom 10 would be
10. Super Train Tokaido, Tivoli World
9. Jozi Express, Gold Reef City
8. Steeplechase, BPB
7. Turbo, Brighton Pier
6. Infusion, BPB
5. G-Force, Drayton Manor (2005-2018)
4. Euro Coaster, travelling
3. MP-Express, Movie Park Germany
2. Blue Tornado, Gardaland
1. Alpine Thriller, travelling
I knew Ninja would be on here and I'm proud to say I've been a St Louisan for over 20 years and love it. I absolutely understand the reasons and agree, but the mix of nostalgia and just how cool it is keeps me loving it even though it's hated. I'm torn between wanting something new there and also keeping it for nostalgia sake.
It is a fun ride, if you keep your head forward. Great airtime on the drop in the back, scary headchopper, and some intensity. Nothing spectacular, but still not bad.
I'd have zero issue with this thing going away and it's a PRIME location for a hyper.
Just think - brake run and station on Ninja's plot of land and then the layout can head towards the water park following the railroad. Hang a right, continue between the water park and Batman, turnaround near the front entrance and head back.
I used to go to Six Flag STL several times a year as a kid through my early 20s. The Ninja has always been terrible. As soon as I was old enough to be left alone I would just wait outside it if others in my party wanted to ride. Don't need a concussion.
Disagree on wildcat. Personally it’s my favorite wooden coaster at Hershey. Yeah it’s rough but not enough that you can’t still enjoy the ride imo.
I usually like rough rides and that one sits right at my rough limit. I still enjoyed it, but non nearly as much as I would have if it were only as rough as something like lightning racer. It's definitely a piece of crap and could use some major retracking
@@sprawlz6466 I thought lighting racer was fairly smooth lol. I did have a front row ride my last time though
@@natewill1464 Yeah I don't think Lightning Racer is rough which was kinda my point. I was saying that I think Wildcat would benefit from feeling more like that. But I wouldn't call Lightning Racer a smooth ride either. I thought it was about average for a wood coaster, but I also only ever rode that thing in the back so that might have something to do with it.
Haha I’m surprised that my home park SFMM was spared of being on the list. I thought Viper was for sure gonna be on here. I also absolutely agree with Great American Scream machine, just an awful coaster that should be torched or demolished lol. I also rode Ninja when it was there. Total crap coaster as well. SF over Georgia in general is just a bad park I’m sorry. I been there 3 times and all were terrible experiences. Anyway, great video sir! Can’t wait for your European content to drop this summer! ❤️
I would definitely swap SLCs and the Volares around! I have a high pain tolerance but Jesus Christ Volares suck! Especially Hero at Flamingo Land, worst rollercoaster ever built on the planet easily: even worse than green lantern 🤮
The slc at flamingo land is actually really good, however the bpb and fantasy island ones are awful.
@@woodstockresinworks2972 I think he meant the generic SLC layouts because I agree with you that their SLC is great
@@Gabes1321
Oh yea I know, I was more answering your comment, what I meant was ironically flamingo lands slc Is actually really good while they have the worst volare, so they have two worst coasters on the list but 1 of them is actually really good, weirdly. 😂
@@woodstockresinworks2972 yeah honestly I don’t even know why they bought hero in the first place with all the awful reviews about time warp but it’s still the most popular ride in the park somehow 💀
SFOG Scream Machine is indeed rough as all get out. This park was only 2 hours from where I grew up. I'm not sure if it was because I was still just a kid, but in its early days I don't remember it being so rough. As an adult, it beats the hell out of me, the last time I rode, I was sore for days.
I have ridden Firehawk when it used to be at Six Flags Great America as Iron Wolf. And when I rode it, it had become very rough. One honorable mention belongs to pre-RMC Gwazi. It was my first and thus far only experience with GCI and it was rougher than the back of an alligator. Another honorable mention is Mean Streak, but now it's Steel Vengeance, and much better.
Same here, I just remember having to waddle after stepping off Iron Wolf
I did Ninja 3 times in one day when I went with my family. My dad actually waited to do it on opening day! I really liked it. Sure it was rough but so is Kumba at Busch Gardens and it doesn’t bother me. I thought it was really fun!
I attended the Great Escape from 1995-2000 so my opinion of the Steamin Demon was with rose-tinted glasses because I was between age 3-8. Even if it was a horrible Arrow, it was my first Arrow and one I always wanted to do since you could always hear the screams from the parking lot.
I rode the ride again in 2009, and I was nearly 17. The way the harnesses fit on my tallet body felt like I was in a washing machine drum. The area was also not much to speak of; weed, crusty and rusted paint, etc.
I got so happy when I saw you mention the nor’easter I go to wildwood every summer and I love that ride! It is definitely a great one and I recommend to anyone that goes there!
American Scream Machine was my second coaster, it’s so fun to me but it’s one of those rides where you need to pick a good seat or it’ll be hard for you to like. I think it needs a GCI but it’s probably better as a traditional wooden coaster with its layout.
It’s harder to pick a good seat when every seat is on a wheel now.
If Wildcat at Hershey park got a makeover with some sort of steel track, I would call it “Ironcat.”
I feel like SLC's have redeemable factors, that being the layout. Great Nor'easter is proof SLCs CAN be good. It's the shotty profiling and restraints that kill it. Back then I'd put Big Apple or Green Lantern as #1.
Bro predicted the future with Wildcat.
Greatest sequel ever
I went on the great American scream machine at 6 flags over Georgia, and I loved it! It was awesome! I would recommend.
I grew up with the Great Escape, being local to the Albany area. I think it's very telling how any time we had a field trip there in School EVERYONE would run to the back of the park for The Comet and NO ONE would go over to Steamin Demon. My first Roller Coaster was Steamin Demon so I was used to it, but I'm so glad I've gotten to experience much better Coasters because Steamin Demon FREAKING HURTS.
Whats sad is Six Flags leaves the Great Escape out to die when it COULD be an amazing tucked away destination. I LOVED the Great Escape during 1995-2000 because my family had a house in Bolton Landing. The Steamin Demon could easily be replaced with a Zierer or Eurofighter that would catch your eye from the parking lot. Use the profits a year later to replace Alpine Bobsleds with an RMC.
Assuming defunct coasters don’t count, the worst I’ve ridden is Vortex at Carowinds. Pure unpleasantness, no redeeming qualities
I totally agree with Wildcat at Hershey. It is INCREDIBLY rough and I’m very happy that they’re replacing it. I rode it one more time only because it’s closing July 31.
I love the reTRACKED pun Taylor
Wild cat is one of my favorites lol 😁 but it’s nice to see you pov on it!
Those Vekoma SLC's are just pure pain, cool layout but my god the head banging
that retracked / retract pun was gold
Literally on a trip right now where I'm about to get first rides on Steamin Demon and Lake Compound Wildcat - can't wait! Also just rode Ednor, which reminded me how bad SLCs are. And it seems they all find their own way to beat you up, most of them head banging, T3 is more of a body crusher, and this one had shoulder "pads" that of course just made it worse...always a pleasure!
Idk if anything has changed since a few years ago, but when I rode Roar at SFA it was absolutely the roughest wooden coaster I had ever been on. You could hear the shaking in the screams of the riders it was that bad
If you watch Taylor's SFA video he said it got retracked this year. I rode it last year and agree: awful I prefered Firebird
@@AdamSmith-gs2dv looked to be only a partial retrack. So its probably still pretty bad. The lift hill was rough on Roar!
Great call on sparing the great nor'easter, love that ride.
as a blackpool pleasure beach regular, i’m still trying to work out what’s worse - the hip bruises you get from steeplechase or the shoulder bruises you get from the SLC
Don't forget the neck injuries from Grand National
3: Thank you. I can't believe someone mentioned this. Great Escape is my home park, and I used to go even pre-Premier Parks/Six Flags ownership. They sold it to the corporation in 1996.
And the reason the coaster sucks? It's why most of the park sucks: it was installed pre-Six Flags, just like almost all the rides. This one opened in 1984, so its 38 years old. And it was built by Arrow who simply copy pasted each ride element and scaled up or down dependent of the height, without a clue how it'd affect G forces.
And yet NO ONE believes me how bad it is. The last time I got off, I'd slammed my head around so much I had my vision completely distort itself because I'd never had a migraine so bad.
I knew some of your picks would pain me, but Firebird is my absolute least favorite coaster of all time, out of over 500. I just can't believe a coaster that bad exists. I would also agree with you about Steamin Demon & Lake Compounce's Wildcat. All the others on your list, I like those rides to a certain degree. Nighthawk isn't as good as Batwing, but I still like it a lot. It's never been very rough for me.
Wildcat was one of my favorite wooden rollercoasters, no matter how painful everyone says it is. I love rmc and all, and I’m glad my home park is getting one, but I will still miss the original.