The Definitive Ranking: Six Flags Great America’s 15 Roller Coasters, Ranked Worst to Best
Six Flags Great America boasts one of the most impressively diverse and densely packed collections of roller coasters in the amusement park world. With 15 unique rides, the park offers something for every type of thrill-seeker, from historic wooden classics to modern, intense steel titans.
Having visited Great America countless times, I’ve developed a solid, if sometimes controversial, perspective on the lineup. It was a true challenge to finalize this list, but here is my definitive ranking of the park’s coasters, from the solid, starting rides to the absolute, must-ride champions.
Tier 4: The Solid Starters (Ranks 15 – 12)
| Rank | Coaster | Type | Key Comment |
| 15 | Little Dipper | Wooden | A smooth, classic family coaster. |
| 14 | Sprocket Rockets | Steel (Vekoma) | Hidden gem, great for families, and short lines. |
| 13 | Dark Knight | Enclosed Steel (Wild Mouse) | An overhated ‘guilty pleasure’ with a reliable single-rider line. |
| 12 | Whizzer | Steel (Anton Schwarzkopf) | Unexpected intensity for its age and small size; amazing setting. |
Starting the ranking is Little Dipper at number 15. It’s a genuinely solid wooden coaster, and its unique buzz bars and smooth ride make it a great first coaster for anyone. Just ahead is Sprocket Rockets (14), which holds sentimental value as my first Vekoma coaster. It’s a cool-looking ride often tucked away from the main crowds, ensuring a quick wait.
Next, at 13, is Dark Knight. I know this ride gets a lot of flak, but it is my personal guilty pleasure at the park. The only reason it sits this low is a testament to the overall quality of the Great America collection. I always make sure to ride it, often utilizing the single-rider line. Rounding out this tier is Whizzer (12). I anticipate some disagreement here for ranking it so low, but I haven’t logged as many rides as I’d like. It has an incredible setting, and the intensity it delivers is totally unexpected for a coaster of its size and age.
Tier 3: High-Energy Intensity (Ranks 11 – 6)
| Rank | Coaster | Type | Key Comment |
| 11 | The Joker | Steel (S&S 4D Free Spin) | Disorienting and unpredictable; the green side is more intense. |
| 10 | The Flash: Vertical Velocity | Steel (Intamin Impulse) | The second tallest coaster; a phenomenal 70 mph launch and incredible backwards spike G-forces. |
| 9 | Demon | Steel (Arrow Looping) | Vintage classic with one of the best Arrow drops and intense positive G-loops. |
| 8 | Superman: Ultimate Flight | Steel (B&M Flying) | Dominated by the rip-your-face-off intense pretzel loop. |
| 7 | American Eagle | Wooden (Racing) | A historic coaster that delivers incredible airtime and holds world records. |
| 6 | X-Flight | Steel (B&M Wing) | Visually stunning with phenomenal hangtime on the inline twist and unique near-miss elements. |
This tier is where the park’s collection truly starts to shine. The Joker (11) is a paradoxical ride; its performance varies, but when it hits, the disorientation is fantastic—especially on the green track. Just above it is The Flash: Vertical Velocity (10). This Intamin impulse launch coaster is the second tallest in the park, hitting 70 mph. The sensation of weightlessness on the backward vertical spike is pure gold, and the 5.6 G’s it pulls on the transitions into the station are noticeable.
Demon (9) has grown significantly on me. Though some complain about the roughness, I find a lot to appreciate in this vintage Arrow looper. The back row offers one of the best first drops on any Arrow coaster, and the back-to-back loops are legendary for inducing gray-outs. Its unique theme and presentation give it a character unmatched by many modern Six Flags rides.
Next up is the incredible B&M flyer, Superman: Ultimate Flight (8). This ride dominates the park entrance and sets the tone for the day. While some call it a one-trick pony, that pretzel loop element is one of the most intense inversions you’ll ever experience—the magnitude of the positive G-force is top-tier.
We move to the classics with American Eagle (7). This ride is a piece of history, an effort by Intamin to build the tallest and fastest coaster of its time. It still holds world records and delivers a phenomenal ride, especially at night, with fantastic airtime. Finally, X-Flight (6) is one of the most visually appealing coasters in the park. The inline twist with the near-miss keyhole element is completely justified, providing riders with incredible hangtime. Its theming is exceptional by Six Flags standards, making it a highly re-rideable and distinctive experience.
Tier 2: The Near-Perfection (Ranks 5 – 3)
| Rank | Coaster | Type | Key Comment |
| 5 | Viper | Wooden (Dinn) | An airtime machine with great laterals and awesome themed props. |
| 4 | Batman: The Ride | Steel (B&M Inverted Prototype) | Unrivaled intensity with strong positive G-forces and whippy corkscrews. |
| 3 | Maxx Force | Steel (S&S Launch) | A pure ‘gut punch’ with North America’s fastest acceleration (0-78 mph in 1.8s) and perfect pacing. |
Kicking off the top five is Viper (5). This wooden coaster often gets overlooked, but it is a consistent winner. It combines pure airtime with excellent laterals on its turnarounds, making it a well-rounded wooden experience. The PTC lap bars allow for tons of room, meaning you will be out of your seat on those camelbacks and the infamous double down.
Number 4 is Batman: The Ride. I have a clear bias for this B&M inverted prototype. While X-Flight and Superman are more about hangtime and loops, Batman is all about raw intensity. I frequently gray out on the double loops, and the ride absolutely hauls through the entire layout. The quick, whippy corkscrews are, without a doubt, my favorite element on any B&M invert—a pure shot of speed and quick transition.
Breaking into the top three is the modern marvel, Maxx Force (3). While short, this S&S launch coaster redeems its duration with pure quality elements. The launch—0-78 mph in 1.8 seconds—is a gut punch and the quickest acceleration in North America. Every inversion hits hard, from the hangtime on the 175-foot dog tongue tower to the snappy heartline roll near the station. The perfect, non-stop pacing makes this ride an absolute thrill seeker’s dream.
Tier 1: The Six Flags Great America Legends (Ranks 2 – 1)
These top two are truly interchangeable, proving how strong the park’s elite coasters are. After years of riding, however, I’ve finally settled on a definitive top spot.
2. Raging Bull (B&M Hyper Coaster)
Raging Bull has reigned as my number one for years, and it’s easy to see why it’s often the most anticipated ride for new visitors. It offers one of the greatest first drops in any coaster and consistently delivers strong floater airtime moments.
What sets it apart from many other B&M hypers in the US is its unique blend of elements. The valleys pull surprisingly strong positive G-forces, and the helixes provide solid laterals. For enthusiasts who love sustained floater airtime, this is the perfect ride. Raging Bull consistently executes everything you could possibly want in a hyper coaster.
1. Goliath (RMC Wooden Coaster)
I’ve stopped fighting my feelings; Goliath is the superior ride and my number one coaster at Six Flags Great America.
This RMC creation is a powerhouse. Although it may not be the longest, every single element is packed with raw intensity. RMC’s non-stop pacing is evident here, throwing elements like ejector airtime and sharp twists at you with relentless speed. This coaster, more than any other in the park, offers a cohesive, high-energy experience from the moment you drop until the final brake run. The combination of sustained speed, airtime, and quick transitions makes Goliath the stronger, more complete package, and the reason RMC is one of my favorite manufacturers.
Great America truly has an elite roller coaster collection where no two enthusiasts can agree on a ranking—which is the sign of an incredible park!
Would you like to know more about the manufacturer (B&M, RMC, Intamin) models represented in this ranking, or compare this lineup to another major theme park?
