Six Flags Great America Coasters Ranked and Rated 2026

Six Flags Great America is home to 16 roller coasters (as of 2026), and the lineup is impressive. That list includes a slew of records: biggest, tallest, fastest, some of which are still held to this day. Others were the first of their kind and remain timeless classics.

The park is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, and over those 50 years, Six Flags Great America has built one of the most well-rounded coaster rosters in the US.

The park is one of my “home away from home” parks. I’ve been visiting for nearly 25 years and have spent hundreds of days trekking around the park. I know these 16 coasters from top to bottom. So I challenged myself to rate and rank Six Flags Great America’s roller coasters, which proved to be more difficult than I anticipated. To make the ranking as fair as possible, I identified the four metrics (below) that would contribute to the Six Flags Great America coaster ranking and rating.

Rating Criteria

I rated each Six Flags Great America coaster based on the following four metrics, each worth five points.

1. Thrill: This one is self-explanatory. How thrilling is it? If someone was new to roller coasters, is this the one you’d start them on? Is there a height restriction?
2. Uniqueness/Significance: Is this coaster one of a kind or one of a few? Does it have historical significance? Would there be an outcry if it was removed?
3. Rerideability: Is this coaster easy to ride again and again? Or do you need a recovery period between rides? Or worse, is it a one-and-done?
4. Theming: Although Six Flags parks aren’t known for having heavily themed coasters, there are some exceptions at Six Flags Great America

So let’s get into rating and ranking Six Flags Great America’s coasters:

1. Raging Bull

To date, Raging Bull remains the only unconventional “hyper twister” coaster from Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M). While many B&M coasters feature some variation of an out-and-back layout, Raging Bull follows no rules. Its configuration is more similar to the neighboring Viper wooden coaster than its fellow B&M hyper out-and-back counterparts. I’ve always said that Raging Bull is criminally underrated, especially when its trim brakes are turned down. Tip: for the most intense ride, sit in the back row — the air on the first drop is pure bliss, as is the drop following the mid-course brake run. Over a quarter of a century after its debut in 1999, it remains one of the most popular (and smoothest!) coasters at Six Flags Great America.

Raging Bull Rating

Thrill: 5/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 4/5
Rerideability: 5/5
Theming: 5/5
Total: 19/20

2. Goliath

In 2014, Six Flags Great America and Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) teamed to build a world record-breaking wooden coaster in a very narrow plot of land formerly home to the Iron Wolf B&M standup coaster, which closed after the 2011 season. Upon its debut, Goliath set three world records among wooden coasters, having the longest drop at 180 feet, the steepest angle of 85 degrees and the fastest speed at 72 mph. At 3,100 feet in length, Goliath’s layout is relatively short, but no foot of track is wasted. It is blistering fast from the moment it leaves the lift hill to the brake run. It absolutely demands (at least) a second ride to appreciate its design.

Goliath Rating

Thrill: 5/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 4/5
Rerideability: 5/5
Theming: 4/5
Total: 18/20

Read our full Goliath review here.

3. Maxx Force

Touted as having the fastest acceleration in North America — 0-78 mph in 1.8 seconds — Maxx Force is a force to be reckoned with. A textbook example of short-and-sweet, Maxx Force packs so much into its 1,800 feet of track, including a unique “dog tongue” double inversion and a heartline roll taken at 60 mph (the fastest inversion in the world). It is one of the few coasters to literally take my breath away. It’s a can’t-miss. Tip: make riding Maxx Force your priority as soon as you enter the park. Its line is generally shorter earlier in the day, and the coaster is prone to extended closures. So don’t risk missing it.

Maxx Force Rating

Thrill: 5/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 5/5
Rerideability: 5/5
Theming: 3/5
Total: 18/20

Read our full review of Maxx Force here.

4. Wrath of Rakshasa

I dreamed for years of a B&M dive coaster in the County Fair area of Six Flags Great America, and in 2025, my dreams came true. My first ride on Wrath of Rakshasa and its 180-foot-tall, 96-degree beyond-vertical drop left me with an unexpected mix of emotions. It was a little rough around the edges — a departure from the graceful, smooth early B&M dive coasters like Sheikra and Griffon at Busch Gardens Tampa and Williamsburg, respectively. However, like a song that grows on you after each subsequent listen, with each ride on Wrath of Rakshasa, I became more and more enthralled by its berserk pacing and incredibly compact layout. I had to reframe my mind — this is a new generation of B&M dive coasters. By my last rides on Wrath of Rakshasa, it had won me over.

Wrath of Rakshasa Rating

Thrill: 4/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 5/5
Rerideability: 4/5
Theming: 5/5
Total: 18/20

Read our full review of Wrath of Rakshasa here.

5. Batman: The Ride

Batman: The Ride has been replicated across the US and beyond for good reason. The B&M inverted coaster packs an incredible punch without taking up a lot of space. And while I love the deceptively intense ride experience, Six Flags Great America’s is even more significant, as it was the world’s first inverted roller coaster. And as a devout Batman fan, the coaster’s theming — which is impressive for a Six Flags park — is what makes it even more special.

Batman: The Ride Rating

Thrill: 5/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 4/5
Rerideability: 4/5
Theming: 4/5
Total: 17/20

6. X-Flight

One of my hottest hot takes: I think X-Flight is the best B&M non-launch wing coaster in the US. X-Flight leans into its flight theme, both thematically and in its movements. It delivers a compact, forceful ride experience that usually leaves me with stars in my vision when the train reaches the brake run. It is one of the best-themed coasters at Six Flags Great America and is almost just as fun to watch as it is to ride. X-Flight marked a coaster renaissance at the park when it opened in 2012, paving the way for Goliath, Maxx Force and Wrath of Rakshasa.

X-Flight Rating

Thrill: 5/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 4/5
Rerideability: 4/5
Theming: 4/5
Total: 17/20

Read our full review of X-Flight here.

7. Demon

Along with Whizzer, Demon is one of the two original Great America coasters, both opening with the park in 1976. And 50 years later, it remains a popular coaster, especially for guests who are looking to graduate to the park’s more thrilling offerings. Demon originally opened as Turn of the Century in 1976, and in 1980, it was transformed into Demon with new theming and the addition of two vertical loops. While it isn’t the tallest or fastest at the park, its campy, 1980s demon-themed effects coupled with the classic Arrow ride experience, gives it a unique charm. As we’ve learned so many times in the coaster world, tomorrow is never a guarantee, so I make a point to ride it every time I visit.

Demon Rating

Thrill: 3/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 4/5
Rerideability: 3/5
Theming: 5/5
Total: 15/20

8. American Eagle

American Eagle Rating

Thrill: 3/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 5/5
Rerideability: 3/5
Theming: 3/5
Total: 14/20

9. Viper

I believe Viper is a wildly underrated wooden coaster. Inspired by the classic Coney Island Cyclone’s layout, Viper offers surprising bursts of airtime (that double-down drop, specifically!), a relative lengthy ride-time and a densely compact layout. For being over 30 years old, it still offers a smoother ride than many newer wooden coasters, thanks to the upkeep the park has invested in. Like American Eagle, with so many classic wooden coasters being reborn as RMC hybrids, it is refreshing to see a classic stay…a classic.

Viper Rating

Thrill: 4/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 3/5
Rerideability: 4/5
Theming: 3/5
Total: 14/20

10. Whizzer

The fact that Whizzer barely makes the top 10 speaks volumes about Six Flags Great America’s impressive cast of coasters. Whizzer is arguably the park’s most family-friendly coaster. It is the perfect stepping stone as growing thrill seekers graduate from the park’s smaller coasters, such as Sprocket Rockets and Little Dipper. Opening with the park in 1976 and designed by legendary coaster engineer Anton Schwarzkopf, the coaster is known for its iconic spiral lift hill and smooth, winding layout through a wooded area of the park. The coaster narrowly escaped demolition in the early 2000s to make way for Superman: Ultimate Flight, which ultimately took the place of the park’s former Shockwave coaster. Thanks to public outcry, Whizzer was spared and continues to operate as a beloved park icon and a symbol of the park’s 50-year history.

Whizzer Rating

Thrill: 2/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 5/5
Rerideability: 4/5
Theming: 2/5
Total: 13/20

11. Flash: Vertical Velocity

I’ll never forget my first ride on Vertical Velocity. The intense reverse launch up the 18-story vertical spike, leaving you staring straight down at onlookers is unlike anything else Six Flags Great America offers. Originally opening as Vertical Velocity in 2001, it was renamed and rethemed as “The Flash: Vertical Velocity” to coincide with the opening of DC Universe in 2022. Tip: its line can get lengthy due to its limited capacity, so ride it early in the day.

Flash: Vertical Velocity Rating

Thrill: 3/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 2/5
Rerideability: 4/5
Theming: 3/5
Total: 12/20

12. Dark Knight Coaster

The coaster inspired by my favorite film is sadly not my favorite coaster at Six Flags Great America. The Dark Knight Coaster is an indoor wild mouse coaster with impressive theming but an off-the-shelf layout. That said, I do typically ride it if the line is short or if I need a break from the heat or cold. While a Dark Knight-themed coaster had so much potential, unfortunately, its opening fell in a time when the Six Flags chain as a whole was immensely focused on adding family-friendly attractions. But I’ll give credit where it’s due — it’s certainly well-themed.

Dark Knight Coaster Rating

Thrill: 2/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 2/5
Rerideability: 3/5
Theming: 4/5
Total: 11/20

13. Superman: Ultimate Flight

I’m admittedly not a fan of B&M flying coasters, especially those that contain a pretzel loop (which is most of them). I find the forces the element places on me to be too uncomfortable to enjoy, so I typically skip flying coasters after my first ride. However, the masses at Six Flags Great America do not share that sentiment, as the coaster consistently has one of the longest waits in the park. For a flyer, it doesn’t do anything unique. But it’s a unique experience within the realm of Six Flags Great America.

Superman: Ultimate Flight Rating

Thrill: 5/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 2/5
Rerideability: 1/5
Theming: 3/5
Total: 11/20

14. Little Dipper

Little Dipper is technically the oldest coaster at Six Flags Great America — by many years. The family-friendly wooden coaster was originally built in 1950 and operated for nearly 60 years at the Kiddieland amusement park in Melrose Park, IL. After Kiddieland closed in 2009, Six Flags Great America purchased the coaster at auction and carefully relocated and restored using as much of the original structure as possible. It reopened in May of 2010. While far from the most thrilling coaster at Six Flags Great America, everyone needs to ride Little Dipper at least once.

Little Dipper Rating

Thrill: 1/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 4/5
Rerideability: 4/5
Theming: 1/5
Total: 10/20

15. Joker

Joker is one of the park’s most chaotic and unpredictable coasters. The S&S 4D Free Spin coaster — one of seven across the Six Flags-branded parks — offers a disorienting head-over-heels that changes from ride to ride depending on weight distribution. The head-over-heels unique ride experience makes Joker a must-try for those who like 4D coasters. However, like other 4D models, it was a one-and-done for me. But it is fun to watch.

Joker Rating

Thrill: 3/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 1/5
Rerideability: 1/5
Theming: 1/5
Total: 6/20

Read our full Joker review here.

16. Sprocket Rockets

The park’s only true kiddy coaster, Sprocket Rocket is really in a league of its own. Comparing it to the rest of the park’s coasters is unfair. That said, it is a roller coaster and serves as the launching pad for many young coaster enthusiasts. And it’s a must-ride for credit-counting coaster enthusiasts like other members of the Coaster101 team and me, as seen in the photo below. You gotta do what you gotta do.

Sprocket Rockets Rating

Thrill: 1/5
Uniqueness/Significance: 1/5
Rerideability: 2/5
Theming: 1/5
Total: 5/20

What is your Six Flags Great America coaster ranking? Share in the comments section below!