Since I began seeking-out roller coasters across North America, each ride has offered its own blend of excitement, fear, comfort, discomfort, airtime, g forces, and pure joy. From the first click of the lift hill or the hum of the launch mechanism to the final brake run, every coaster tells a story of unique engineering, innovation, park history, and personal memories. The rankings I am sharing here in this blog reflect not just technical stats, but the guttural feelings or lack thereof that each ride delivers.
As a passionate roller coaster enthusiast, I set out to rank every coaster I’ve ridden on a scale from 0 to 100. The scale starts at 0, marking the terrible, and 100 representing my perfect ride experience. Initially, I assumed that I would have over a hundred coaster credits to note here, so some would inevitably share numbers below 10, especially the infamous SLCs and Boomerangs. However, as I compiled my list, I discovered that my total number of credits actually falls short of 100 by 1 coaster, through the end of 2025. That meant each had to find its own unique position in my rankings.
The Irony
Ironically or not, as I write this, I have officially logged exactly 99 (non-water coasters), roller coaster credits. This is a milestone of something that I once thought would be inconsequential and not an item I would not ever want to or need to track. I find it ironic because my ranking scale was built on the assumption that I would have a few more than one hundred rides to sort through, leaving plenty of room for ties at the bottom. Instead, I am sitting at a neat 99 (non-water coasters), and every single coaster has to claim its own unique spot.
Water Rides
For the list, my focus is entirely on actual roller coasters. While water rides are fun, they do not consistently deliver the same level of thrill or marvel that full scale coasters provide. My goal for this blog was to experience the best airtime, launches, inversions, and pacing that rides have to offer while leaving the splashes for other conversations. That said, to round out a perfect 100 for the ratings scale, I add the Mack Water Coaster at SeaWorld San Diego, Journey to Atlantis.
The Forgotten
I am certain there are a few forgotten rides from traveling fairs or pop-up festivals sprinkled throughout my past, forgettable experiences that barely registered at the time. They are of no consequence now, but they remind me that this journey is not just about numbers. It is about the stories, the thrills, and the memories that stick.
My Top Coasters of All Time (Through the End of 2025)
Every coaster I’ve experienced fits somewhere within this 0–100 range. If I ever encounter a ride that surpasses my current #1, it will claim the perfect 100, pushing the others down a notch. Likewise, if I find a coaster worse than my current lowest, it will take over the bottom spot, moving the rest up.
1) Twisted Colossus – Six Flags Magic Mountain (Valencia, California)
- Score: 100%
- Tier: S – Elite
- Highlight: Ejector Airtime
- What could make it better: Fast Lifts
Twisted Colossus is a hybrid masterpiece by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC), transforming the classic Colossus wooden coaster into a modern marvel. Opening in 2015, it features dueling tracks, wild inversions, and some of the best airtime moments in the world. Located at Six Flags Magic Mountain, this ride is a must for thrill-seekers visiting Southern California and all coaster enthusiasts.
2) Iron Rattler – Six Flags Fiesta Texas (San Antonio, Texas)
- Score: 99%
- Tier: S – Elite
- Highlight: Ejector Airtime
- What could make it better: If the pacing could be better when on top of the quarry wall
Iron Rattler is not just another RMC hybrid; it revitalized the original Rattler with steel track and innovative elements. Opening in 2013 with its epic and dramatic drop off a quarry wall and relentless ejector airtime. Located in San Antonio at Fiest Texas, this coaster is a testament to how classic rides can be reborn.
3) GhostRider (Knotts Berry Farm, CA)
- Score:98%
- Tier: S – Elite
- Highlight: Good Pacing
- What could make it better: The operations on this coaster are terribly slow!
The premier coaster at the park, known for its unrelenting layout, smooth retrack, ejector airtime, floater airtime, and classic charm.
4) AlpenFury – Canada’s Wonderland (Vaughan, Ontario)
- My Score: 97%
- Tier: S – Elite
- Highlight: Inversions
- What could make it better: If the trains could be 1 car longer and if there were three trains operations.
AlpenFury is an intense double-launch coaster at Canada’s Wonderland, known for its smooth track and numerous inversions. While not the tallest or fastest, its creative layout and immersive theming make it a favorite to experience among park guests.
Honorable Mentions
5) Leviathan (Canada’s Wonderland, ON) Leviathan, a giga coaster, that boasts a 306-foot drop and speeds over 91 mph.
Yes, I am totally afraid of heights!
6) Wonder Woman Flight of Courage (Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, California) Debuting in 2022, is the world’s longest and tallest single-rail coaster.
This is me in the back row!
7) Nitro (Six Flags Great Adventure, NJ): A smooth B&M hypercoaster with sustained speed, a comfortable helix, and abundant floater airtime.
8) Behemoth (Canada’s Wonderland, ON): Massive floater airtime hills and a fan-favorite among locals and coaster enthusiasts internationally.
9) Wonder Woman Golden Lasso Coaster (Six Flags Fiesta Texas, TX): The world’s first modern single-rail coaster, offering a unique ride experience and relentless pacing and ejector airtime.
Conclusion
Every coaster on this list has left a lasting impression on my mind, body, or soul. That impression could be part of the good, the bad, or the ugly, and directly relates to their innovative design, breathtaking speed, or unforgettable airtime. My journey continues as I seek out new thrills and revisit old favorites while always chasing that perfect 100.
(10) A – Excellent (Discovery Kingdom – The Joker™)
(11) A – Excellent (Fiesta Texas – Wonder Woman™ Golden Lasso)
(12) A – Excellent (SeaWorld San Antonio – Steel Eel)
(13) A – Excellent (Magic Mountain – Full Throttle)
(14) A – Excellent (Canada’s Wonderland – Yukon Striker)
(15) A – Excellent (Magic Mountain – Tatsu)
(16) A – Excellent (Magic Mountain – X2)
(17) B – Good (Darien Lake – Ride of Steel)
(18) B – Good (Knotts Berry Farm – Xcelerator)
(19) B – Good (Darien Lake Predator – after retrack)
(20) B – Good (SeaWorld San Antonio Texas Stingray)
(21) B – Good (Knotts Berry Farm – HangTime)
(22) B – Good (Dorney Park – Steel Force)
(23) B – Good (Dorney Park – Talon)
(24) B – Good (Magic Mountain – West Coast Racers)
(25) B – Good (Fiesta Texas – Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger)
(26) B – Good (Magic Mountain – The Riddler’s™ Revenge)
(27) B – Good (Great Adventure – Jersey Devil Coaster)
(28) B – Good (Dorney Park – Iron Menace)
(29) B – Good (Magic Mountain – BATMAN™ The Ride)
(30) B – Good (SeaWorld San Diego – Emperor)
(31) B – Good (Magic Mountain – Déjà Vu)
(32) B – Good (Sahara Hotel and Casino Speed – The Ride)
(33) B – Good (Fiesta Texas Superman™ Krypton Coaster)
(34) B – Good (Discovery Kingdom – Medusa)
(35) B – Good (SeaWorld San Antonio – Wave Breaker: The Rescue)
(36) B – Good (SeaWorld San Diego – Arctic Rescue)
(37) B – Good (Magic Mountain – Apocalypse: The Ride)
(38) B – Good (Discovery Kingdom – Flash™: Vertical Velocity)
(39) B – Good (Knotts Berry Farm – Montezooma’s Revenge – OG)
(40) B – Good (Discovery Kingdom – Superman™ Ultimate Flight)
(41) B – Good (Universal Studios Hollywood – Revenge of the Mummy)
(42) C – Average (Darien Lake – Tantrum)
(43) C – Average (Knotts Berry Farm – Silver Bullet)
(44) C – Average (SeaWorld San Diego – Journey to Atlantis)
(45) C – Average (Magic Mountain – New Revolution)
(46) C – Average (Magic Mountain – Scream!)
(47) C – Average (Magic Mountain – Road Runner Express)
(48) C – Average (SF Fiesta Texas – Chupacabra)
(49) C – Average (Discovery Kingdom – BATMAN™: The Ride)
(50) C – Average (Fiesta Texas – Batman™: The Ride)
(51) C – Average (SeaWorld San Diego – Manta)
(52) C – Average (Darien Lake – Mind Eraser)
(53) C – Average (Knotts Berry Farm – Sierra Sidewinder)
(54) C – Average (SF Great Adventure – Batman™: The Ride)
(55) C – Average (SeaWorld San Diego – Electric Eel)
(56) C – Average (Magic Mountain – Ninja)
(57) C – Average (Belmont Park – Giant Dipper)
(58) C – Average (Fiesta Texas – Poltergeist)
(59) C – Average (Magic Mountain – Colossus – OG)
(60) C – Average (SF Great Adventure – Medusa)
(61) C – Average (Fiesta Texas – Pandemonium)
(62) C – Average (Discovery Kingdom – Sidewinder Safari)
(63) C – Average (Canada’s Wonderland – Backlot Stunt Coaster)
(64) C – Average (Dorney Park – Hydra the Revenge)
(65) C – Average (Great Adventure – Runaway Mine Train)
(66) C – Average (Magic Mountain – Sarajevo Bobsleds)
(67) C – Average (Legoland California – The Dragon)
(68) C – Average (Legoland California – Coastersaurus)
(69) C – Average (Great Adventure – The Dark Knight™ Coaster)
(70) C – Average (New York New York Hotel – Big Apple Coaster)
(71) C – Average (SeaWorld San Antonio – Great White)
(72) C – Average (Wild Bills Casino – Desperado)
(73) C – Average (Disneyland – Space Mountain)
(74) C – Average (Disneyland – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad)
(75) C – Average (Universal Studios Hollywood – Flight of the Hippogriff)
(76) D – Mediocre (Magic Mountain – Canyon Blaster)
(77) D – Mediocre (Knotts Berry Farm – Wacky Soap Box Racers)
(78) D – Mediocre (Knotts Berry Farm – Motorcycle Chase)
(79) D – Mediocre (Magic Mountain – Gold Rusher)
(80) D – Mediocre (Magic Mountain – Superman™: Escape from Krypton)
(81) D – Mediocre (Magic Mountain – Goliath)
(82) D – Mediocre (Knotts Berry Farm – Pony Express)
(83) D – Mediocre (Magic Mountain – Speedy Gonzales Hot Rod Racers)
(84) D – Mediocre (Magic Mountain – Freefall Coaster/Droptower)
(85) D – Mediocre (Magic Mountain – Shockwave)
(86) D – Mediocre (Knotts Berry Farm – Corkscrew)
(87) D – Mediocre (Disneyland – Matterhorn Bobsleds)
(88) D – Mediocre (Fiesta Texas – Boomerang: Coast to Coaster)
(89) D – Mediocre (Dorney Park – Thunderhawk)
(90) D – Mediocre (Discovery Kingdom – Cobra)
(91) F – Failure (Knotts Berry Farm – Coast Rider)
(92) F – Failure (Darien Lake – Viper)
(93) F – Failure Magic Mountain Psyclone)
(94) F – Failure (Knotts Berry Farm – Jaguar!)
(95) F – Failure (Magic Mountain – Flashback)
(96) F – Failure (Canada’s Wonderland – Flight Deck before the new trains)
(97) F – Failure (Knotts Berry Farm – Boomerang)
(98) F – Failure (Discovery Kingdom – Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster)
(99) F – Failure (Discovery Kingdom – Kong)
(100) F – Failure (Magic Mountain – Green Lantern™: First Flight)