Bizarro (Formerly Superman: Ride of Steel) at Six Flags New England
A Heroic Hyper Coaster That Lives Up to Its Lofty Reputation
I don’t give out a lot of 10′s. But this ladies and gentlemen, deserves a 10. It’s reputation was huge and I figured it would be better than the other coasters by the same name, I just didn’t know it was going to be THAT good. Thanks to the unimaginative minds at Six Flags it can be a bit confusing. There are two other hypercoasters by the same name, one at Six Flags America and one at the de-flagged Darien Lake, which is now just Ride of Steel. Those two are identical and very pedestrian in comparison to the New England installation. It’s nothing short of a masterpiece. Don’t take my word for it. Thousands of coaster enthusiasts agree. See the Golden Ticket Awards and Mitch Hawker’s Poll.
Now, to the review. The experience starts with some appropriate Metropolis-themed
supporting buildings. Right away, I noticed a clean, well organized queue with the Superman movie theme playing in the background. It’s a small touch, but adds to the experience. I’m not sure why this is absent from the other Superman coasters. The station was buzzing with excitement and the ride ops kept the energy up asking riders if they enjoyed the ride. Quite often, the trains returned with enthusiastic applause before the ride ops could even speak.
Intamin’s seats aren’t as wide and comfortable as the seats you find on B&M’s Apollo’s Chariot, but the back seats of each car are raised slightly in a stadium seating fashion. After leaving the station, you begin the long ascent which offers a breath-taking view of the Connecticut River a few hundred yards to your left. If you sit on the left there isn’t much between you, the river, and the ground, far, far below. At over 200 feet up, the trains crest the top and then plummet down more than 220 feet. At the bottom of the hill the train dashes throw a short underground tunnel as it reaches 77 mph. You climb up and drop down another 120 foot drop. Next is the overbanked turn that’s similar to Intamin’s overbank on Millennium Force, just not quite as large.
Packed with Airtime As Advertised
As I had heard from other coaster enthusiasts, the hills are stuffed with airtime. Some with sudden drops that are short but powerful, jerking you down and even throwing your hands up for you. The helices offer great g-forces and the second tunnel is cool and throws you a little. I also enjoyed the layout and liked the varied nature of the track. I can see why New Englanders are so rabid for this ride. It had the longest line at the park the entire day. And if it wasn’t for security there would have been a mad dash for it when the park opened. This truly is the
best steel
roller coaster (and in my opinion overall coaster) on the planet. Kumba’s still my personal favorite though. Final Rating – 10 (Transcendental)
Check out this onride coaster video of Superman: Ride of Steel, though it doesn’t really do the ride justice.
Similar Intamin hyper coasters: Superman: Ride of Steel at SF America, Expedition GeForce at Holiday Park, Ride of Steel at Darien Lake
Bizarro is rated ‘IN’ for Intense. It’s a 4 out of 5 on my Thrill Scale for of its height and speed.
What’s Your Take?
For more info check out this fan site. How many roller coasters have their own fan sites? Do you have a comment about this S:RoS or any of the other versions? Chime in below.
July 9, 2008 at 19:30
This ride is definitely the number one coaster on the planet. It's so amazing. So much airtime, plenty of g-forces on the helixes, and many cool elements. I love the tunnels. The mist and neon lights seem like they aren't much, but they make the ride that much better. I love how the onlookers have such an amazing view. Like, on the exit ramp the train flys right over you with a loud roar and just makes you say "Wow." In my opinion, after riding this ride, I think it's the only ride that should have "Superman" in its name. I'm lucky though, Six Flags New England is only 10 minutes away from my house, so I go on this coaster a lot.
August 2, 2008 at 12:29
This really is such a great coaster – I've been so spoiled to ride it as often as I did for the last few years, and every other coaster after it just hasn't stood up.I also get motion sickness really easily, so while most cheap carnival rides that jerk you around real quick leave me in ruins, Superman's varied dives and twists are 100% excitement without the queasy stomach afterwards.And you can't beat that view, holy crap!
January 28, 2009 at 10:16
Superman Ride of Steel is the best coaster ever in my opinion. Steel or wooden. Like Kay said, after riding this other coasters are enjoyable, but just can't stand up to S:ROS. It never gets boring either, no matter how many times you ride it. Now Six Flags is redoing it. The tracks being painted purple and it's getting some special effects. Fire, smoke, mist, and and an onride audio track are some of the new things. Most likely going to get a Lex Luthor theme, since the fake company Clawshun Industries which was "hired by Six Flags to redo the ride" is really Lex Corp. Ha. All part of the advertising… No matter what the theme, this coaster is the best and looks as if it will stay the best for some years to come.
May 28, 2009 at 10:53
This is an absolutely fantastic coaster. The first drop is breath-taking the first time you ride. I still remember the mixture of horror and excitement when the coaster tipped over the crest and started down that mad slope. I remember thinking, "I can't believe they're doing this to us!" like we being sent to our doom!
After the first drop it's all speed and insanity but very smooth, so you almost get the feel you're flying. The small hills near the end come up so fast that you're weightless at every crest.
Then the coaster comes to a screeching halt and they leave you there for a few seconds. No matter how many times I ride it, I always feel slightly wobbly and disoriented after the stop. Probably because of the abrupt transition from fast, smooth movement to a dead stop.
This is definitely the most thrilling coaster I've ever ridden.
One tip: Don't wear a big belt buckle! The ride attendants cinch the lap belts down VERY tight and riding with a big belt buckle digging into your stomach isn't very comfortable.
June 10, 2009 at 10:46
This is my all-time favorite roller coaster!!! I could ride it 10 tiems straight and not get tired of it!
June 28, 2009 at 16:39
I rode Bizarro/Superman for the first time yesterday. I was scared out of my mind at first. That first drop is a big one and is really steep. The Mist and the props along the ride all added to the experience. The ride was really smooth and fast. I enjoyed it immensely. It was the best coaster that i have ever ridden. I cannot wait to go back this summer.
June 29, 2009 at 03:29
ya that first drop is a drop of a life time. And the mist helps with the really hot days that you go there so you can cool off!
August 7, 2009 at 19:15
SFNE is my homepark and so obviously I feel very fortunate to have been on this ride tons of times! Its the most complete steel roller coaster i've ever been on, but certainly not the best.
Sure SROS has a good first drop, but it pails in comparison to the first drop on MF. SROS also has good theming and tunnels, but i think Montu puts the tunnels on this ride to shame. And the airtime is very good, but being overrated if called great. Now El Toro has great airtime, that airtime embarreses the airtime on this coaster!
As you can see in my book the most complete ride and the best ride arn't the same thing, but don't get me wrong SROS is a great roller coaster and in my top five, but i'm not going to declare it the worlds best when there is no point on it where it is the worlds best. In my book MF and El Toro stand far above and beyond all the others.
December 19, 2010 at 02:05
Look, I respect people's opinions, but yours was just silly. Comparing a woodie and an invert to a hyper coaster – just don't do that. And you're statement "The airtime is overrated" is laughable. I somehow doubt you've ridden Montu, El Toro AND Bizzaro oh yeah AND Millenium Force.
January 3, 2011 at 10:06
Who cares about the tunnels or the first drop. It's all about the whole experience. Some rides excel where Bizzaro doesn't, and Bizzaro excels where some rides don't.
April 26, 2011 at 05:08
Please don't post such rubbish on the internet. Thankyou.
May 19, 2011 at 09:57
El Toro and MF are both great coasters (El Toro is my no. 1 woodie) but where El Toro (compared to Bizzaro) lacks are the helices; the helices on El Toro were pretty intense, but they were very short. El Toro also doesn't seem to interact with the enviroment that much, neither does it seem to have that many flat fast bits. MF seems to have a similar problem, however, the helices were long but weren't that intense at all. MF also has NO theming.
Bizzaro is a mix of both El Toro and Millenium Force; It's got those long helices, great airtime and theming.
I don't particulary care about the tunnels; Montu and Bizzaro are completely different rides so there's no point comparing them.
August 25, 2009 at 19:22
its amazing. im so lucky to live close enough to the park to ride it as many times as i desire
September 12, 2009 at 11:36
Not my favorite coaster, but still a good one!
November 3, 2009 at 15:47
Watching that video I almost didn't think it was the same ride.. it almost makes the ride look boring O_O
But, as every coaster enthusiast knows, it's all about the the experience and only after riding it can you judge it. It's in my top 3 as well.
January 16, 2010 at 07:31
I've only been on bizarro, but I like this coaster. I never thought I'd say this, but it might have too much airtime! I safely sits on number 4 on my list, because I noticed a few flaws. All together, it is a great ride, I'd rate it a 9.5/10, but I think a few rides stand before it.
July 9, 2010 at 10:20
add some people screaming in the backround; now THAT would make it look non-boring!
September 28, 2010 at 17:37
..waiting for the news on the new DC coaster for 2011…
October 14, 2010 at 10:59
Fortunately they didn't ruin the ride like I expected. It's not better though. The soundtrack is just annoying it doesn't add to the ride like on the RocknRoller Coaster with Aerosmith at Disney. Bring back Superman!
October 15, 2010 at 01:45
Why is everyone hammering the soundtrack!?
March 2, 2011 at 11:16
In its Superman form i cant see it being the BEST. It still would be a great coaster, but not the best in my opinion. However, with its Bizarro theming, I can see it as the best, next to Millennium Force. Alot of people disagree, but I think the Bizarro theming makes it much better. The soundtrack is cool and adds some intensity going up the hill, and the special effects make it one of a kind(except from the bizarro at great adventure). I really enjoy a well-themed ride.
June 6, 2011 at 13:17
I absolutely love this ride. It contends with my other favorite – Nitro at Great Adventure for my favorite coaster. Although that may change as I will be going to Cedar Point soon and can't wait to get on Millennium Force! Anyways, this ride is amazingly smooth, with great airtime on the hills. It was the first sizable roller coaster I went on, and the coaster that made me realize I loved roller coasters. Although, I preferred it when it was the Ride of Steel, but the Bizarro theming is pretty cool too.
July 29, 2011 at 03:31
The on ride – video makes SROS look boring; it couldn't be any further from that!
August 7, 2011 at 20:59
So i rode this coaster for the first time. I was expecting it to be my number one coaster after i rode it, but unfortunately it isnt. Yes the ride had great height, speed, and incredible airtime. The only problem was that the airtime hurt, very much. Whenever i would go over a hill my legs would be pushed up against the lap bar very harshly. Intamin restraints go too far against your legs. After i got off the ride my thighs hurt badly. Another problem is you cant move your feet, they are stuck in between some lump in the floor of the train. And there are no handles to hold on to. I much prefer nitro at sfgadv, it is much more comfortable, has handles, and doesnt hurt at all. The airtime on nitro is more comfortable. Bizarro would be my number one coaster if it didnt hurt. Does anyone else experience this??? Bizarro is still a great coaster though.
December 21, 2011 at 13:56
personal top 5