This edition of Most Wanted Roller Coasters takes us to Germany for the roller coaster some believe to be the 
Best in the World. Holiday Park’s Expedition GeForce has been battling it out with the United State’s Bizarro at Six Flags New England ( formerly Superman: Ride of Steel) for years.
In the past five years of Mitch Hawker’s Internet Coaster Poll Expedition GeForce has tied for first, placed just behind Bizarro, or ranked third. The past two years it’s placed third due to Eagle’s Fortress’ 2nd place ranking. However, it’s worth noting that Everland’s Eagle’s Fortress only had 13 riders in 2008 and 2009. It’s been the source of a bit of controversy. Meanwhile, Bizarro and Expedition GeForce have had well over 100 riders. According to Wikipedia, Expedition GeForce also ranked #1 from 2001 to 2004.
Or, if you prefer the Golden Ticket Awards, Expedition GeForce has placed well considering that poll’s heavily American-skewed rankings. In the past 5 years it’s ranked 6th four times and 5th once.
Who Cares About Hyper Coasters (Overseas)?
At 173′ tall, Expedition GeForce has a 
hyper coaster-like layout that emphasizes airtime hills, but it doesn’t break the 200′ barrier in height or in any of its drops. In that way, it’s similar to the Intamin Mega-Lite coasters that followed it. Mega-Lites like Kawasemi and Piraten have also ranked really well in the Internet Coaster Poll. This trend of mini hyper coasters makes me think that foreign parks may not have the “bigger equals better” mentality that many American parks do.
The very definition of a hyper coaster includes our quirky measurement system that still uses “feet”. While all other industrialized nations use the metric system. Is there any chance that Europa Park markets their B&M coaster Silver Star as a hyper coaster because it breaks the 60.96 meter height barrier? I doubt it. Readers from other countries feel free to chime in.
Anyway, I’d like the record-breaking thrill ride loving fanboys who are so focused on the biggest, fastest, and steepest to take note. Size isn’t everything!
Check out these professionally shot videos of Expedition GeForce:
Expedition On-Ride & Off-Ride Video
Expedition POV Video
Note – These videos were filmed by professionals with permission from the park. For safety reasons, please DO NOT take a camera on a roller coaster.
Expedition GeForce has a pretty unique layout. There seems to be a lot more banked track than Bizarro. Although, you can tell from Bizarro’s second half that the coasters are related as both were built by Intamin.
Will the Bizarro Transformation Help Expedition GeForce Reclaim the Top Spot?
Since Superman Ride of Steel made its transition to Bizarro in 2009, some have argued that it’s not as good as it used to be, while others feel that it’s as good as ever. Due to its reputation and the likelihood that it will take years for enthusiasts to get back to Six Flags New England, it could take a while for its ranking to slip; if indeed it’s not as good as it once was. Or, it could happen this off-season. We’ll have to wait and see.
This thought came to mind when I met the production crew from Bert the Conqueror. They’re not your typical well-traveled coaster enthusiasts, but they do get to ride the roller coasters that they film. They had just been at Six Flags New England right before Carowinds. They asked what my favorite roller coaster was and I told them it was Bizarro. They had a puzzled look and I think one of them used the terms “rough and shaky” to describe Bizarro. Both Bert and the camera man preferred Carowinds’ Intimidator over Bizarro. Obviously, this is just a few guys’ opinions but, I thought it was interesting. I’m looking forward to the Massachusetts and South Carolina episodes where these coasters will featured in the coming weeks.
So, how bad do you want to ride Expedition GeForce at Holiday Park. Participate in this poll:
Loading ...What’s Your Take?
What do you think of Expedition GeForce? Have you ridden Expedition GeForce? Leave a comment below. Images courtesy of CoasterForce.
July 21, 2010 at 14:19
The name Mega-Lite doesn't exactly scream stable to me.
July 21, 2010 at 16:40
Expedition GeForce is probably my #1 most wanted coaster. The layout is Intamin at it's finest.
If you want an update on Bizarro, I'll be up there in a few weeks.
July 22, 2010 at 12:38
I'll probably head dow to New england for another Two or Three rides this year, and I'll see if the smoothnesson Bizzaro has changed, wich i doubt.
July 21, 2010 at 20:16
When I was at the filming for the SFNE shoot Bert said it was the best coaster he had ever ridden and that it was a lot bettet than Millenium Force. He said Millenium Force just had the speed but that was it. I guess he changed his mind when he went to Carowinds.
July 22, 2010 at 17:34
Yep. They kept noting how smooth Intimidator was and how you could ride it all day. I could see how Intimidator would have the edge there.
July 23, 2010 at 16:09
I could see also. The Inatmin rattle in the helices is probably what he's talking about. Thats the only part where its notably "rough" though.
July 25, 2010 at 11:25
i can see how smoothness is a virtue but after a few rides on Nitro (SFGA is my home park) i get bored. Rides like Bizarro and MF are just a bit more excited(even though they can be rougher).
July 23, 2010 at 13:38
Look like n awsome coaster, our exachnge student lives nerly half an hour away from holiday world and when she came over and rode coasters at disneyland and magic mountin she said they did not compare. I might be headed over there next year and will defenintly ride geforce
July 25, 2010 at 05:57
I'd agree with you that bigger isn't always better – sometimes the need to pack a coaster into a more confined space can result in really well-thought-out layouts that are just as intense and enjoyable to ride.
Having said that, I think most Europeans heading over to the states are bowled over by the scale of some of the coasters – I certainly was. It does create a sense of awe which is difficult to recreate any other way.
July 25, 2010 at 19:10
This is one of the dream coasters for me, but it's so crazy to hear of the European shock over the American heights. Not surprising, but nice to hear that my overseas jealousy has a match on the other side of the pond.
We want to ride your coasters too!
August 2, 2010 at 15:17
I don't think that GeForce is the world's best coaster, but it's surely up there. Certainly one of the best in Europe, that's for sure, and maybe the best in Europe. But I think SFNE's Bizarro/Superman beats GeForce to the crown of world's best coaster.
August 26, 2010 at 06:21
Multiple sources (including Screamscape) are reporting that there is definitely going to be a new rollercoaster at Hersheypark for the 2011 season, and they said there is a good chance that it could be the first Intamin Mega-Lite in the US. If this happens, I'll certainly book a trip now to Hershey!
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