Six Flags Great Adventure reveals Bakunawa coaster with world’s first upside-down launch

Bakunawa will launch riders while upside down

Bakunawa’s two-minute, 17-second journey will begin with a linear synchronous motor launch accelerating the train from 0 to 60 mph.

During the second launch, the train will accelerate from 60 to 80 mph while completely inverted. Six Flags calls this the world’s first upside-down launch and the world’s fastest inversion. A third and final launch will propel the train to its top speed of 100 mph.

At the top of the 382-foot tower, the train will enter a spiral followed by a 180-degree bank, providing expansive views of Six Flags Great Adventure. The coaster’s complete course will stretch 3,163 feet.

Bakunawa will operate with two 20-passenger trains. Its floorless vehicles will rotate independently as the train travels through the course, changing riders’ direction and view throughout the experience. Six Flags says the free-spinning movement means no two rides will be identical.

Height requirement: Riders must be at least 48 inches tall.

Six Flags claims six world records for Bakunawa

According to Six Flags, Bakunawa will establish the following records:

• World’s fastest spinning coaster at 100 mph
• World’s tallest spinning coaster at 382 feet
• World’s fastest inversion at 80 mph
• World’s longest stall inversion
• World’s first floorless spinning coaster
• World’s first upside-down launch

The attraction will also join the giga coaster category and rank among the five tallest roller coasters in the world.

The tallest and fastest spinning coaster records appear relatively straightforward. Ride to Happiness at Plopsaland Belgium, one of the best-known extreme spinning coasters currently operating, stands approximately 108 feet tall and reaches about 56 mph.

Watch the “sizzle” video below.

Some of Six Flags’ more specialized claims could generate discussion among coaster enthusiasts:

• Fastest inversion: Six Flags currently promotes Maxx Force’s 60-mph inversion as the world’s fastest. Bakunawa would raise that figure to 80 mph, although fans may debate how speed within an inversion is measured and compare it with the former Do-Dodonpa, which reached 112 mph before entering a vertical loop.
• Longest stall inversion: Six Flags has not provided the stall’s measurement or clarified whether “longest” refers to track length or time spent upside down.
• First upside-down launch: The claim appears to refer specifically to powered acceleration while riders are fully inverted. Fans may compare it with Voltron Nevera’s 105-degree launch, although that element does not match Six Flags’ description of accelerating from 60 to 80 mph while completely upside down.
• First floorless spinning coaster: This combines two coaster features into a new category, leaving room for discussion about how Six Flags defines a floorless vehicle compared with other open spinning coaster cars.

Technical note: The Joker at Six Flags Great Adventure is a 4D Free Spin coaster with exposed wing seats that swivel and flip riders head over heels. Six Flags describes riders as “free flying,” with the track running between the seats. Some fans could argue that it already combines floorless-style seating with free rotation. The technical distinction is that The Joker’s seats flip around a horizontal axis, while a traditional spinning coaster rotates its vehicles around a vertical axis.

Related: Time Traveler at Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO is a coaster with free-spinning vehicles, multiple launches and inversions, but riders sit inside cars with a floor beneath their feet.

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