What Really Happened on Shockwave at Six Flags Great America?

One of the most forgotten rides by most coaster fans today was once the tallest and fastest roller coaster in the world. Shockwave at Six Flags Great America was set to be an icon, however, due to the issues discussed in this video it would close forever less than 15 years after it opened.
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Sources:
rcdb.com/4.htm
rcdb.com/34.htm
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shockwa...)
www.visitkingsisland.com/blog...
www.setpointusa.com/blog/rele...
lagoon.fandom.com/wiki/Dal_Fr...
web.archive.org/web/200210130...
Saferparks Data: ridesdatabase.org/saferparks/...
Videos used:
Andrew 'Anton ' Marshall with psyclonesteve (off ride): • SCHOCKWAVE SIX FLAGS ...
Menachem Piekarski (off ride): • all my videos shockwav...
Other footage: • Shockwave at Six Flags...
Beyond 2000: • Shockwave on Beyond 2000
Arrow Dynamics Promo: • Arrow Dynamics promoti...
Great Adventure History: • Six Flags Great Advent...
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[@CoasterCollege]

Small correction at 2:38 I mistakenly said that Shockwave opened in 1989, it actually opened in 1988 like I stated earlier in the video.

[@meverything2216]

Lol it happens

[@ReptarRaWR]

Can you make a video on my home park Six Flags New Englands Superman the ride (Superman ride of steel at the time) accident in early May, 2004.

[@carmencrews1958]

@@ReptarRaWR He already made a video on that.

[@ReptarRaWR]

I looked again there’s a video on darian lakes Superman ride of steel death I don’t see the one on New England’s ride of steel though both accidents were similar seeing someone who wasn’t able to safely ride the coaster ride anyways and got ejected in a tragic accident in both cases the coasters train came into station with all seats locked. The main difference between darian lakes accident and New England’s accident was the person in New England’s coaster had all limbs but was to big to ride. Darian lakes problem was someone riding with double leg amputation. He covered ride of steel at darian lake like the first video but not New England’s ride of steel it almost seems like people mix or forget about New England’s ride of steel accident. If I’m wrong please point me towards New England’s video I only see darian lakes.

[@carmencrews1958]

@@ReptarRaWR the heck are you talking about?

[@angiectoan4543]

This coaster looks like it was built in Roller Coaster Tycoon.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

Well you can find the clone of this Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Great Adventure on Roller Coaster Tycoon 2

[@tanyasmith2173]

Felt like it too, lol

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

Well that is largely how they used to build rides because the time and money it would take to make custom elements far outweigh to their payoff, that's why all the loops and corkscrews look the same, and the others had a tendency of not being the best..

[@BenLA5]

Naw u cray cray. My parks always had coasters that had 200 mph drops and a jump leading into water. After the cars exploded the water would extinguish the flames. Genius right? You arent playing RCT unless u have multiple mass casualty events everyday, its the ONLY way to make things thrilling, probably

[@irishbob26]

I've been playing planet coaster for a bit and they wouldn't let me open a coaster if I built it like that.

[@YoungZibzy]

The ad for the rollercoaster said: "After you ride it, you may not be the same." With all the neck and back injuries, it really lived up to that marketing promise

[@danelberg3024]

I'm a ShockWave survivor. During Senior skip day, the Monday after prom, several friends and I went to GA for the day. This would've been May 2000. It was the final ride of the day, as it was the last to go by on the way out. On the turn out of the first loop, I smacked my head on the right shoulder restraint. I blacked out temporarily. I came to before the ride was over. I exited the ride and fell a few times walking down the ramp. My friend's boyfriend was in training to become an EMT and noticed. He ended up carrying me the rest of the way down, and then to the car, after asking what happened. The next day at school, I continued to have blackout issues and I was sent to the hospital where I was diagnosed with a concussion. Because I didn't go to medical on site, I doubt the injury was ever reported.

[@edenskye1870]

Yes the injury cant be reported if its not reported...

[@tameikabrown]

U Should’ve Reported The Incident On Site Especially After Blacking Out

[@DecayExploration]

@@jeffb8562 or yk they hit their head so hard they blacked out? Literally happened to someone right in front of me before. It’s possible💀

[@j.w.213]

@@jeffb8562 I don‘t see a connection to liberals here, only a person who knows nothing about politics. But it‘s ok I don‘t expect much from one who randomly attacks people out of context. Sore loser.

[@pollypockets508]

:-(

[@kaestar87]

I always hated riding Shockwave because it hurt so much, but I still did every time I went to Great America. It really was a "prove how tough you are" thing

[@vargas1569]

“Prove how dumb you are”

[@schueltar]

I was at one of those school math day things they had at great america in the late 90s.. Many of us rode the shockwave 5 times in a row.. multiple times.. the park was emptyish.. they made us get up and walk around after the 5th ride.. did this like 2-3 times.. (like go to the the exit cut off thing)

[@pollypockets508]

Yeah. I didn't need to prove anything. I went on it once and that's all I needed.

[@pollypockets508]

@@vargas1569 Ah youth

[@themyofmy]

@@vargas1569 sometimes "tough" and "dumb" are the same

[@rlynch1980]

Believe it or not, I was actually there in 2002 for it’s last day of operation. While waiting in the queue we heard a loud snap, and saw what looked like at least one of the back wheels on the train fell off. The coaster was in the first half, and went through two of the vertical loops without a back wheel, making an awful screeching noise with metal on metal and sparks flying everywhere. It was like watching a car wreck - you don’t want to see it but you can’t look away. I was close enough to the station to see one of the workers run to the control panel and hit the emergency stop. Fortunately this worked and the train stopped on the mid-course brake run. The workers and a bunch of security quickly escorted us out of the line (which took awhile because the park was at capacity and the queue was about 3 hours). I remember everyone looking at each other shocked like “did we just see that?” As an enthusiast this has been the only malfunction or accident I’ve ever witnessed. The park never officially released the news of the accident so far as I know, but according to your video apparently this sort of thing must have been common. I have no idea if anyone was hurt, but I can only imagine that for those people in the back train it must have been terrifying. I wonder if I would ever ride coasters again after being in such an accident? The ride never reopened and a few weeks later the park announced that they were replacing it, claiming that the decision was due to public outcry to save Whizzer. I have no idea to what extent that is true, but I can only imagine this final incident on Shockwave had something to do with it. Was anyone else there that day, or anyone who lived in the Chicago area remember seeing it on the news?

[@monkmoto1887]

I remember that and I remember at least 2 of the higher profile injuries like the little girl who got the brain bleed

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Well, the public outcry over the original plan to scrap Whizzer to make room for Superman: Ultimate Flight was definitely real, as was said plan; Six Flags seem annoyingly fond of throwing out tamer coasters to make way for new kewl thrillcoasters, and tend to keep kewl coasters even if they're problem children. But I guess the outcry combined with how _much_ of a problem child Shockwave was (and it having aged the least gracefully of the Arrow 7-inversion sisters, especially set against how far B&M raised the bar for a smooth ride) was enough to get it axed instead.

[@Jushwa]

Sounds like the scene in FD3 lol

[@ElectriKong-]

I guess we can only imagine how much worse the ride could have gotten if it did get relocated.

[@108CAM]

All the cutting and welding would have likely weakened the track and structure even more considering it was being re-welded before its removal. I also think that all the welds would have made for a rather bumpy ride.

[@benjaminfriedman9107]

You know that theme parks are safe when Brendan runs out of ideas for what really happened series on singular events

[@rmc_fan]

He hasn’t covered Xcelerator at Knotts Berry Farm

[@RobChapala]

"Brendan, com here brendan...Brendan, studying IS cheating"

[@NotAJosh]

@@rmc_fan well that’s also been widely covered also. The lunch cable snapped causing a 13 year old boy and his father to be injured. The boy had severe lacerations to his leg. The only thing that is not covered is the fact that the park was 3 weeks late on its 6 month inspection and that intamin rides suggested it be inspected once a month.

[@rmc_fan]

@@NotAJosh Interesting! Thanks for letting me know, I’ll look into it.

[@tyler1107]

@@NotAJosh I thought this was the one where the kid was decapitated?

[@greataldini9168]

I happened to be an operator for Shockwave the final year of operation. I was there for the last train, which wasn't planned in case anyone was wondering. All valid information though. I loved riding it and remember riding it over and over right before closing time. Great memories for sure

[@ProfessorIgor]

exactly.

[@DAOzz83]

So, no truth to the rumors that the ride broke a wheel or an axle? I was wondering if Coaster College was going to address that.

[@ntenpc]

I operated Shockwave during the 1999 season. I've always liked it, despite the headache it gives you.

[@Mallaien]

I operated Shokwave a few times in '88, it wasnt my main ride, I was mosly on Power Dive and Roaring Rapids.

[@ChadAgain]

I was the lead at Shockwave when this happened. I was breaking a teammate down at Rue Le Dodge when I got a call from a panicked coworker to get up there because the yellow train sounds like it exploded. This story is accurate from what I remember. I actually reported the yellow train to maintenance a few days earlier. And there were little blue curly-Qs all over the ride area from the axil scraping the paint off the track.

[@Zombianca42]

I rode shockwave when I was 12 right before they shut it down. Those loops were so intense, the force of it had me slumped down in the seat. My neck could not hold my head up. I was truly frightened that I had messed something up permanently. Scariest coaster I had ever been on.

[@siberian13]

I’ve ridden Shockwave many times and everything they say about it was true. It was an incredibly fun rollercoaster but it did kick the living shit out of you... I slammed my head against the headrest and also once blacked out for a moment on the first set of vertical loops. After you rode it enough times you sort of got used to it and just knew when to brace yourself. I always wondered why it abruptly closed as it always seemed to be a very popular ride with long lines. Thanks for sharing this video and now I know the whole story.

[@rmac3217]

Waaah the roller coaster is rough... It’s rolling and it’s a coaster... You would actually cry if you rode a wooden coaster with no shoulder restraints at all.

[@silvergust]

​@@rmac3217Yk there's a difference between a slightly rough coaster and then one that's banging your head into oblivion and possibly at risk for head injury right

[@rmac3217]

@@silvergust Then don't ride rollercoasters... There's signs everywhere saying u must be this tall to ride, not an emotional pregnant woman and u ride at your own risk. So tired of the 0.000001% ruining the fun for everyone. So many of the greatest water parks have had to shut down because wimps want a quick pay day with a law suit and need a lifeguard to follow them around and make sure they don't choke on a hotdog, just stay safe at home or leave and demand your money back...

[@ChiSportsNut18]

Ever ride the Iron Wolf? THAT ride was rough.

[@juicyparsons]

​@ChiSportsNut18 we got stuck on Iron Wolf in HS. Luckily it was towards the end near the entrance, but we were tilted down at like a 30° angle for about 20 minutes and I had snot coming out my nose by the time it released 😅 10/10 would ride again lol was one of my favorite coasters

[@nikaria6083]

New "what really happened" and it's almost 20 minutes? Hell yeah

[@trevbone1]

My dad went on great American scream machine. He said it was the worst experience of his life and he likes roller coasters. He never felt so physically beaten and digestible sick on a roller coaster. It’s one of those “u had to go on it to say u have been on it” type of things

[@SokoBeatQueens]

I can definitely confirm what your dad said. I couldn’t ride anything else for the rest of the day because my head was pounding and my body was so sore. So glad it’s gone.

[@TheRamonesFreak]

Yeah that one banged you around but I always rode it. They closed it down in Jersey in order to make room for Green Lantern.

[@AaronFacciolini]

Was my favorite coaster for a very long time. People made it sound way worse than it was.

[@moonmagic5]

I can confirm, I sat on the back cart about 2 weeks ago when I went from my dad. After the first drop, my cart started violently shaking to the point where I became concerned. When we hit the bottom of the first hill it whipped me forward so fast I almost hit my head on the bar. It was like that at every drop, and at the end it just comes to a dead stop from 50mph in about 2 seconds. When I got off I immediately had a headache and honestly thought I was going to collapse and throw up. My dad made me sit down and take a break and it eventually went away, but for an hour after I couldn’t think because my heard hurt so bad. My shoulder got really messed up and I actually had to go home from work the following day because of whiplash. It needs to be repaired or torn down.

[@moonmagic5]

It’s still open at Six Flags Over GA, which is where I went

[@carto4028]

Youve got that defuctland kind of energy to these videos that make me nostagic for an era i was never apart of.

[@bananagirl7067]

Wait this isn’t defunct land?

[@CZsWorld]

As soon as I clicked I knew Zero Credits Remaining would have something to do with this.

[@toonkid5196]

How?

[@curiousdog9022]

Ur channel is creepy

[@corybecker9432]

I was on the last ride of this coaster, me and 6 of my friends got treated to a 15 min continuous run on this beast. RIP Shockwave, you are still missed.....

[@RyanWehr]

Shockewave survivor here. I don’t think I rode another roller coaster as much as this one. I could not get enough. But I was young in my body could take the punishment. As described by the writer recap. Going into the break room felt like getting into a car accident every single time. Sitting in the back row helps with the acceleration since you are not at the front of it. having that ride at the front of the park to greet you every time you enter, the Gates was just amazing!!! I’ll never forget the hype on that roller coaster came out. And as its reputation for being aggressive started to sink in, I was able to ride it even more often since the line dwindled throughout the years.

[@jeffcunningham308]

It's a sad that a lot of us newer coaster enthusiastis won't get to ride these mega arrow loopers. Viper is the only one left now sadly

[@lilkingtrashbaby]

and I feel like viper is living on borrowed time. haven't been on since the last re-tracking but I know it hurt before and some people would love to see it replaced. i personally love it though and hope we have it for as long as possible

[@locklear308]

Not sure if I want to after seeing this lol

[@FinesseBTW]

I'm a newer coaster enthusiast, and I am very happy that I don't have to ride those old arrow loopers. Every single one I've been on is extremely painful and I wouldn't wish Viper onto my worst enemy

[@rcky6506]

@@FinesseBTW As an arrow fanboy I gotta disagree with ya there lol

[@jaya1000]

They trimmed the shit out of viper to prevent head banging. The hangtime is pretty intense on the last 4 inversions. But the pacing has been ruined

[@isturma]

I rode this coaster many many times over it's lifespan - it wasn't the smoothest ride, but I remember it fondly. I was a member of ACE in the 80s-90s and after a long trip and hundreds of rides on other coasters, that first ride on Shockwave felt like coming home. I was well aware of the danger - something not mentioned here are the many incidents I saw of people riding the ride with earrings in, and having them pushed through their lobes during the ride. They'd always be bloody screaming messes after, and they'd have to stop the ride to clean up. I want to feel bad for them, but there was signage everywhere, and the rideops were vigilant about it, but you can't catch them all.

[@cryptokeeper7925]

Sorry for the year late reply, but do you mean the earrings were pushed into their head? And probably that squishy, sensitive bit? I ask, because most earrings are already through the lobe, so that squishy bit seems the next logical spot. Doesn't sound pleasant, but I'd take it over a neck injury!

[@isturma]

@@cryptokeeper7925 Nope - they went on the ride wearing earrings, and when they came off they had no earrings and two bloody holes.

[@cryptokeeper7925]

@isturma ooh, they were ripped out, or ripped through?

[@briankenney9528]

Man seeing those Eminem hairstyles really does take you back

[@evanrodri848]

Lmao 💀

[@RonRuminski]

I loved shockwave and rode it a lot. That said, that left turn coming out of the double loop was a headache or worse if you didn’t prepare yourself. Had to pin my head to one side and hope that was enough. A comment below of blacking out wasn’t uncommon or getting major headaches. It’s sad they couldn’t make it more comfortable and safer because it was a fun ride….if you didn’t get injured.

[@hoosiercoasterfan2655]

Fun fact, despite having the same general layout GASM was actually quite different from Shockwave. Arrow modified the design when they were putting in GASM. Shockwaves 2nd and 3rd vertical loops looped to the left which made the turn into the MCBR extremely tight, so for GASM they had the vertical loops loop to the ride so they could widen the turn. The turn after the 1st vertical loop was widened as well. Also it trimmed a lot harder on the MCBR, because Shockwaves didn’t really trim at all.

[@visionist7]

If GASM was in Orlando everyone would call it OR GASM. I'll get my coat...

[@ArrowThrills]

Wow interesting

[@robertivaniszyn840]

I can also attest, as someone who rode this as a teen, that it was a badge of honor at the park because it's reputation was well known.

[@Stephenp503]

It still feels weird hearing Vortex talked about with "was".

[@daniev6]

Kings Island shouldn't have touched Vortex.

[@timothykaczmarek5871]

@@daniev6 Definitely agreed. Vortex was awesome. They should have gotten rid of Invertego.

[@daniev6]

@@timothykaczmarek5871 no way haha. That's my second favorite one there.

[@ThrillsofColdplay]

I’m happy I got on Vortex before it got torn down

[@Reckless_Metal]

@@ThrillsofColdplay me too

[@greenninja999]

Shock wave was awesome, you just had to know how to ride it... Good memories! But I grew up going to Great America as a kid so every Coaster there had a special place in my heart

[@bruceaskew2107]

factz 💯

[@SteveTpenn]

@Jonathan Armstrong That's awesome. The demon was the very first rollercoaster I ever went on.

[@xathirastormshredder7171]

I never knew that Vortex used to hold the "tallest closed circuit" coaster in the world record?? I learn so much from this channel!

[@Second_UNIT]

It’s pretty cool to know that I can still see echos of this old thing at six flags through the Demon and Whizzer. I remember the old fountain on the Demon- I wondered why it had been removed lol It’s pretty interesting to know that I have history with some of these old rides even without realizing it

[@brianglade848]

My dad used to plunge the toilets by the Demon

[@shiggy6661]

I fr have a theme park like niche or obsession even more bc of you 😂😂 it’s so interesting

[@unemilifleur]

Same, and I don’t even ride coasters. They’re just interesting 😆

[@visionist7]

I need my fix haven't visited a park since last July

[@MonsterFlame1]

Well Six Flags Great America said it: "They said Save the Whizzer and Shockwave became Chopped Liver"

[@staringcorgi6475]

The whizzer is still a classic but shockwave is outdated

[@williamdowling7718]

As a kid, I loved the whizzer.. As an adult.. Im absolutely horrified that the only thing that holds you in is a lap BELT that doesn't lock in place..

[@AbeTheBabe6233]

rhyme 100

[@Jump82nd]

Dude the whizzer is a childhood memory of mine. Hope they never remove it

[@Ebiru2387]

Whizzer is a GREAT coaster for beginners. It is a seatbelt only coaster and is good even for those who hate coasters.

[@andrewblanc480]

i’ve been on viper a million times in six flags magic mountain.. and it’s so rough. can only imagine how shockwave was 🤣😂

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@onedrkflame1145]

You know how sometimes a pinball gets stuck bouncing around the bumpers, imagine now your head is the pinball 🤣

[@williamhaynes7089]

Yes, Viper would be better w/o the overhead pads... there are better ways of doing this now

[@miranda8763]

Viper always feels like it’s giving me a concussion, I don’t think I’d be able to ride it again

[@TheRamonesFreak]

I hated Viper at Six Flags Great Adventure. Always need my back up. They replaced it with a another ride that at the moment I can't thing of.

[@smashy1983]

Shockwave was a great ride in the beginning. But over the years it got bad. I’d got headaches every time I rode the ride. Due to the shaking of my head back and forth.

[@greywolf6162]

I went on Magic Mountain’s Viper for my birthday yesterday, and it’s now my favorite looping coaster. Seriously number one!

[@beowolf9480]

I find it really interesting how, a lot of coasters that you've covered on this show, and were dismantled because of their issues, such as this coaster, could probably be fine if they were built today because of things like computer modeling and testing, as opposed to having to model is physically, which leaves room for error, and it's a lot of effort, etc, this coaster in particular while watching, I was thinking, what would happen if another manufacteror picked up this ride and remade it

[@m0ondoggy]

The day after my wedding in 1999 my entire wedding crew spent the day at Magic Mountain. We got there when the park opened and for the first few hours there were no lines anywhere. My friends and I rode Viper 9 times continuously. To this day, it's my favorite coaster in the world. I haven't ridden it in probably 10 years at this point, but I should probably do it before it eventually gets torn down.

[@ZygalStudios]

This coaster was from my home park. Still my favorite ride to date. Me and my Dad have fond memories riding it and it was his favorite as well. Had a very unique sensation and don't get me wrong, it was BRUTAL. That transition into the mid-course brakes felt like getting punched in the face, but the ride had charm and I still have yet to feel the raw G's I have on Shockwave. Definitely remember all the complaints and understanding how to ride it become almost a badge of honor... lol Anyways, amazing video. Always love seeing videos on my favorite ride. :)

[@TonySkafidas]

i can’t imagine how rough shockwave was if you said viper was less harsh. viper is such a good coaster but it’s so rough i decide not to ride it anymore. these coasters are headache fuel but they are so fun to ride. i need to ride viper before it is gone, one of the first coasters i rode at magic mountain, and still looks like it’s pulling numbers of people in. i wonder how much longer it will be there for.

[@sarahb.6475]

Shockwave was the very first coaster I ever rode. I remember hearing about girls who got earrings torn out of their ears on it. But I don't recall it being extra rough or anything. The scariest part for me (at first) was going upside-down in the loops as I have a fear of going upside-down! But Shockwave can cure you of that fear with all the loops... Just keep the eyes open. 🤣 my high school went to Great America every spring... Great times riding Shockwave, the Demon, Eagle, the Whizzer, Splash Waterfalls + Yankee Clipper.

[@KaeMcSpadden]

I rode the Shockwave as a kid. I thought it was cool it has several inversions, but I hated how my head would hit the restraints like crazy.

[@sarahbee6758]

Shockwave was the first “inverted ” roller coaster I ever rode, and I’d begged my brother to take me on it (even when I was scared). It was one of my favorites for a long time. The short lines were also a benefit

[@Packerm87]

I rode and operated Great American Scream Machine (Scream Machine for short). Every single problem in the videos happened on this ride. The ride didn't so much have a mechanical issue, but it wasn't smooth, and your head banged so hard it gave people sever headaches. It made your extremely nauseous. And if you look at some pictures of the ride, there is a support beam that doesn't line up with the corkscrew segment correctly and it we never corrected. The park made the decision to close it down and purchase mantis from another park and called it green lantern, and it has been a big hit.

[@visionist7]

Was there ever a thought to put padding on the OTSRs?

[@kennyadvocat]

There was a few brief periods in the late 90s when Scream machine felt a little better. I stopped riding in the first few rows or the back few rows due to all that extra shake. Some cars felt smoother than others but maybe that was just me. I always waited for the Blue. Red was ok too, but the White i didn't like. Ya like 2003 till it close it was horrible. But was our tradition to ride it. LOL I really missed rolling thunder too running both sides in sync. =(

[@me-myself-i787]

Mantis at Cedar Point was converted into Rougarou. Green Lantern used to be Chang at Kentucky Kingdom.

[@BluesCoasters]

I love this series!!!

[@miked7212]

Me too !!!!!

[@Katie-rv6hm]

I never rode Shockwave, but I do remember seeing it once before they tore it down. I think I was like 6 or 7 and I remember being intimidated by it because I feared tall and inverted roller coasters during that time. It was interesting to hear they used pieces of Shockwave for other coasters, I did not know that.

[@Thim22Z7]

I have a very similar relationship with the Schwarzkopf looping star that used to be at my homepark. That has actually survived the test of time (which cant be said of Shockwave), but it has been relocated far from where I can ride it to Cyprus.

[@Fazcoasters]

Shockwave always seemed like the black sheep of the 3 Six Flags mega loopers. With Scream Machine and Viper being talked about much more.

[@MakBot]

Scream Machine's drop and transition between first and second loops tended to beat people up and then the train CRAWLED through the batwing to the point where there was hangtime.

[@Fazcoasters]

@@MakBot My stepdad and my uncle used to ride it all the time and they rode it opening year and a ton after that. They said it was smooth opening year in 89, but it just kept getting worse and worse and then they said it became the roughest coaster ever.

[@VinceHere98]

@@MakBot I loved Scream Machine. Sadly I only rode it once in 2010 just weeks before it would close forever and be demolished. When I heard the news, I was shocked and saddened, and even cried as I mourned the loss of such a magnificent coaster, and I hoped that whatever was replacing it would be as perfect and memorable as the scream machine. When I heard that a B&M stand up coaster named Green Lantern would be coming to the park, I was excited, but I failed to realize this was just a relocation of Chang from Kentucky Kingdom (when it was owned by Six Flags) and that there really hasn’t been an actual brand new stand up coaster since Georgia Scorcher at Six Flags Over Georgia in 1999. When Chang had reopened as Green Lantern in 2011, a brand new coaster type made its debut in Italy, known as the wing coaster, also by B&M. I suppose in an alternate timeline, Great Adventure would’ve kept the Scream Machine for a little longer for until maybe 2013 or 2014 before replacing it with a B&M Wing Coaster. I suppose it’s not too late to do so, as I’m sure they can re-locate Green lantern to another park and have it converted to a Floorless coaster, then build a wing coaster where it once stood in Great adventure. I really don’t want Green Lantern to end up getting scrapped, not after what Universal Islands of Adventure did with Dragon Challenge (originally Dueling Dragons) in 2017 because let’s face it, removing any B&M coaster that isn’t even over 30 years old yet is a sin.

[@Thim22Z7]

Thats also why Shockwave interests me the most of the three. Because of the state of the ride and because it was only open for such a short period of time Shockwave nowadays is only remembered as the coaster that broke 7 inversions and as one of a few Arrow Megaloopers, but thats it. I feel like there is a lot more cool stuff to learn about it since lets be honest, it has just been kindof forgotten.

[@Fazcoasters]

@@Thim22Z7 Since it closed all the way back in 2002, it's left in the dust. Before watching this video, I had no idea it ripped into the mid-course like that. Scream Machine and Viper never did that (haven't been on Viper yet and Scream machine was gone when I became a coaster fan)

[@zuper1133]

Another very hidden shockwave reference is in the Superman ride op test, as a trick answer for one of the questions.

[@Thim22Z7]

Wait what is it then?

[@zuper1133]

@@Thim22Z7 just a vocab question on the swing arm mechanism, with 'shockwave bar' being a trick answer.

[@Thim22Z7]

@@zuper1133 Ah cool, I never knew that

[@hotredboy84]

What's crazy is this ride was near the entrance, when we first rode it we had a major headache the rest of the day, we then learned to ride it at the end of our day at the park once you got off it, you really didn't wanna ride anything else 😂 good ol days!!

[@sloviscelery2135]

I love Problematic Coasters. El Toro Ryan, you are amazing at these videos!

[@ldj3151]

Hey, I hope you loose the Planco contest. Thanks!

[@craft7185]

@Train_ lol

[@AnotherSwissYoutubeUser]

@Train_ Congratulations, maybe next time you will get the joke.

[@Thim22Z7]

I mean Ryan forgot to explain blocksections this time :(

[@supernova-oy7jo]

SFGA is my home park and my dad also grew up around the area so it was his throughout most of his life. he got the chance to ride shockwave and said that he grayed out on it 90 percent of the time. he even got to ride it back to back once because there was no line

[@TheRamonesFreak]

That's my home park too. I loved Shockwave and even Scream Machine. Also Lightening Loops was fun. I cannot do Green Lantern cause those two tiny loops at the end make me super nauseous

[@rmc_fan]

OH MY GOD I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER SEE THIS VIDEO That’s two coasters on this series from my home park :)

[@ChiSportsNut18]

Same.

[@bruceaskew2107]

fasho

[@vargas1569]

....what? Wait, why? This comment makes no sense

[@rmc_fan]

@@vargas1569 Because a few months ago he made a community post that he would make this video and, because I worship this coaster, I got really excited. But a few weeks later he said it would probably not come out which was disappointing. So when I saw this video I commented this because I was flipping out... There ya go

[@danelberg3024]

The other being Demon? I saw that one get stuck several times. Always made me anxious to ride it, but the multi loop inversions were worth it. And it's tight next to one of the water rides, which was perfect on super hot days!

[@bullfn3]

I rode Shockwave many times way back when. That turn after the third loop when the train would slow down was the absolute worst. It was inevitable that your right shoulder was going to get slammed.

[@scottyjbd]

That curve into the mid-course brake run looked VICIOUS

[@jtwilliams8895]

I’ll always remember that banking turn on Shockwave after the giant loops. That turn was very violent on the neck, making everyone on the ride go “ughhhh”

[@d3th2m3rikkka]

I know it's not a coaster, but what really happened at the haunted castle at SIx Flags Great Adventure would be a great video

[@staringcorgi6475]

I mean he also made flat ride videos so

[@alexiscarlsenwenzel8939]

Fascinating Horror makes a great video about the haunted castle Incedent

[@TheRamonesFreak]

I was obsessed with all the videos about the haunted house. I never got to visit it but I always think of it when I go by the bumper cars which is where it was located

[@adamalton2436]

I remember this bad boy. my brother loved it, beat the hell out of my neck. I was still sad to see it go despite being a BMF to ride.

[@MetalTrenches]

I missed these. This is the park we always used to go to.

[@mjallen1308]

I remember shockwave. I had just moved to Naperville at the end of 98, around December, and my mom and stepfather took me to Six Flags in Gurnee before SW was dismantled. It was definitely a head banger. Surprisingly, it was the only coaster my mom and I were able to convince my stepdad to get on which in hindsight, given his heart problems, may not have been a good idea. Both my mom and stepdad complained of headaches and neck pain after riding.

[@MinkyBoodle44]

I never got to ride this myself, but I remember going to the park for the first time when I was 6, and just seeing this coaster tower over the park from the Orleans Place midway in the early morning sun is an image I have never forgotten. It looked so imposing and menacing, and, at the time, I was still terrified of roller coasters, so there was no way I would have ever gotten myself on it. Everyone else in my family said it absolutely beat the daylights out of them, but I really wish I'd gotten to ride this thing just once, even if it hurt. It was so cool to see multiple coasters so prominently towering over this park, and while Goliath does that now, it doesn't quite have the same presence that Shockwave had in the park's skyline. I remember being disappointed when I came back a couple of years later and it wasn't there anymore. However, hearing all of the pain and bodily suffering it caused, I'm slightly less sad that I never got to ride it lol. Even so, I hope to get on Viper at SFMM before it gets taken down so I can get a similar ride experience!

[@bryanterry1111]

This video puts shockwave in such great perspective for me. Ever since I heard about shockwave existing as a kid I always wondered why six flags would remove such a large coaster. All everyone ever said is that it had an issue with the trains wheels, but never went into it much further. So thank you for this video, and for giving much more context.

[@BluesCoasters]

This series is the reason I’m subbed to this channel!

[@waynejkl4035]

I spent my late teens and early 20s riding and loving Shockwave, and to be honest, I kind of miss it! At least the early years of it anyway. I'm also a big fan of Vortex, Magnum, and Viper so it all makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the insightful look back at one of my favorites!

[@jessn9125]

This was my first roller coaster, and it gave me a headache for the entire day, and my friend’s ear was bleeding due to how hard our heads were bouncing off the harness. I will say the beginning drop was crazy fantastic.

[@MrSnoomun1983]

I remember riding this during every trip to SFGA - loved it as a kid. One visit during the end of it's life we rode it 7 times in a row without getting out of the train. Superman was such a huge disappointment replacing Shockwave even more so on the heals of the amazing Raging Bull in '99.

[@monkmoto1887]

Superman wasn’t bad it’s just too short. Also it doesn’t really live up to the hype from its opening or the wait time. And raging bull is probably my favorite roller coaster of all time. So smooth it’s like flying

[@SteveTpenn]

@@monkmoto1887 Raging Bull is also my favorite. Great coaster!

[@katieb.1184]

Seriously. Loved this part of my childhood. It was a rough but fun one

[@emmywence]

I loved Shockwave!! Yes the first damn near 90° turn did smack your ear pretty well. However, being the front row was amazing! Us GenX coaster kids were used to getting beat up on rides so it was just part of it. Now Tidal Wave was sketchy. The truly concerning part of SW was more the fact that they built it in the parking lot and did nothing to hide that fact. So it always felt like you were riding a carny ride that was huge!!!

[@83gemm]

“Constantly rewelded” is a terrifying phrase when talking about a coaster.

[@musickid43]

I'll always remember shockwave as being the first time I rode a coaster with inversions. I was young at the time so I don't remember much about it other than seeing the cut track pieces off to the side when on the tower the following year.

[@Jebusrulez]

That was one of the roughest rides I've been on. My brother ended up getting serve whiplash on that ride at the age of 11 that caused him to cry getting off it.

[@ThrillSeekersandHellRaisers]

I remember seeing Shockwave as a kid. I was unfortunately never tall enough to ride it.

[@jeffcunningham308]

Glad your back with these what happened videos. Keep up the good work!

[@justimagine2403]

That turn after the first loops.Massively severe... like criminally mis-engineered. It sure looked impressive driving up to it. Once was enough though.

[@LetsFackel]

Love your "what really happened" series, keep up the great work! Greetings from Germany 💪

[@zoeallen1585]

Finally a mention of Lagoon! They have some great coasters!

[@vargas1569]

...Lagoon is like one of the most talked about park amongst enthusiasts

[@bostonnewenglandsportsfan5402]

I used to ride shockwave when I was there but I’m very sad that it closed and I miss it very much I loved the ride

[@Elfman80]

This rollercoaster beat my head side to side because I didn't see the sign to keep your head back.

[@jillybean1506]

Even if you tried to keep your head back, you still got hurt from hitting the restraint.

[@bmoremetal]

It’s interesting how the Loch Ness. Monster is still operating today when it’s older than these coasters.

[@Thim22Z7]

I guess that because Loch Ness monster isnt such a huge coastsr it makes it so it has leas wear and tear and thus has been able to survive longer.

[@hayleyf9438]

Really love your channel. It’s helped me get over some fears I had surrounding theme park and roller coaster rides.

[@moonmagic5]

The worst ride I’ve ever experienced was the Great American Scream Machine at Six Flags Over GA. I’m a massive roller coaster lover and I’m all for an intense ride, but something is seriously wrong with that one. I got on on the very back cart since I had the Flash Pass. After the first drop, my cart was shaking so bad I was genuinely afraid something had gone wrong, as I have never been on a coaster that shook like that. The shaking continued the entirety of the ride, which I believe is about 1-2 minutes. At the bottom of each and every hill, even the little ones that proceed the big ones, I was violently ripped forward to the point where I had to actively hold myself back from hitting my head on the safety bar. At the end, it goes from 50mph to 0mph in about a second, and it once again whipped me forward so hard I lost my breath. After I got off, I immediately had a giant headache and I felt like I was going to vomit and pass out. I was actually going to go to first aid, but my dad assured me I was ok and to just take a break. It went away after about 15 minutes, but my head hurt for the entirety of the day and I had shoulder issues for 2 days after I rode it. A horrible ride, I’m worried it will hurt more people.

[@moonmagic5]

Also a note, there is no head cushion on the seats, so if you put your head back on the seat it shakes it even worse. The restraints are a hard leathery texture and it all collides for a horrible experience

[@holbrooke7]

It was one of MY FAVORITE coasters and I miss it dearly.

[@hangtimechills3461]

I love Zero Credits Remaining! I was really confused when he started talking.

[@JJJJ-he8bz]

Viper is shocking really smooth to me I don’t understand why it looks exactly like shockwave I’m guess it’s because from the video it looks like shockwave is going through it’s inversions a lot faster than viper is.

[@jjsykes031]

I rode this ride so much! When I lived in Wisconsin and went to Great America all the times. It is still one of my all time classics :)

[@floridamaddogg]

I have proudly rode Shockwave about 20 times. It had rough transitions, but I still loved it! It was normally a walk on in its later years.

[@ThePatcore]

I survived Shockwave as well. I was like 13 when I rode it around 1992. I remember watching people get off it and everyone who got off the red train seemed hurt. Through chatting with others in line we learned the Gold train was the one that would beat you around the least and when it came time to ride, we luckily got it. I personally loved Shockwave and was bummed when they took it out, however I would rather loose it that whizzer which is the last remaining ride of its kind and a much better family ride.

[@LikaLaruku]

I've been to a "Marriott's Great America" theme park, but didn't know Six Flags also used it.

[@johnfoltz8183]

@@bmfanboy8838 california Great America was first owned by the city of Santa Clara, then they sold it to KECO, (Kings Entertainment Company) which was later sold to Paramount Parks in the early 1990s, then finally to Cedar Fair in 2006.

[@Jillousa]

I remember going to Marriott and then remember when it switched to Six Flags.

[@joannhempen8210]

I actually rode The Shockwave in 1993... at six flags great America. I lived an hour from there growing up. it was one of my favorite roller coasters. It was so much fun! Scary to think now there were problems. Thank you for your great videos!! Loved & Subbed!

[@astrid____1471]

Love your videos, I always loved roller coasters but was very anxious (anxiety disorder) but because you taught me so much about roller coasters I can finally enjoy my time on them. Thank you so much

[@cpm1003]

I rode Shockwave for the first time with my prom date in the spring of '89. The most notable thing is that I actually had a prom date! But I thought the ride was pretty good too. I usually almost blacked out on the first or second loop, but I learned to push my head back into the headrest to avoid the slamming. It was intense, but I really don't think it was that bad.

[@MajorOSC]

FINALLY! I come across someone else that actually understands why the instructions say keep your head pushed back and upright in the headrest. Lol. Well done sir.

[@ActionNerdGo]

It's funny but rough as it was, in its later years, me and my teenage friends would always end our day at Shockwave because you could get multiple rides in a row. We became experts in knowing just how to hold your head to avoid getting slammed around. Still resulted in headaches though. The reputation was definitely earned.

[@masskonfuzion]

Shockwave was my favorite coaster... in 1992. I rode it 11 times in one day (it was still a relatively young/smooth coaster then). But I can vouch -- rode it again in 2002 (not knowing that was right before it was retired), and definitely had a head-banging experience.. No injuries for me, though, luckily... Damn I loved Shockwave. RIP

[@benjesta]

Bro seriously your videos are so good and oddly these accident coverages helped me get over my fear of rollercoasters completely thank you so much

[@marcussorenson3380]

I'm so glad I didn't ride shockwave when I was a kid at least Demon still lives on and they have shockwaves traves so all is not lost for shockwave and thank god we saved whizzer and they scrapped shockwave that was a close call for great american and I can't wait to get back there this year

[@MrDemonsushiGuy]

This coaster means so many things to me. It is my favorite defunct ride of all time. It's a fine piece of pop culture from the 1980's mixed with some fancy New Orleans theming. The only thing they could've improved upon (aesthetically at least) was the fact that the coaster was in a former parking lot area. All that concrete was ugly. And then, one day, it was gone. In its place was Superman Ultimate Flight. Shockwave represented the first time I recall losing a ride I loved. When I found out it disappeared, I had an unhealthy obsession as to what the heck happened to it. My family and I used to get on this thing a lot starting from when I was about 9 years old, because the line was about 5 minutes a pop. I remember the final time I ever rode it, I was 12. I got in the back of the train.... big mistake. Looking back on it, though, I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The ride was much more intense than usual compared to the times I rode in the middle cars or the front. I nearly blacked out. Looking back on it, I wish they would remake coasters like these. Blackouts or not, I love this stuff. There's nothing quite like a good looping coaster by Arrow Dynamics. It gave me great pleasure to see somebody finally making a detailed video about it. Good work, dude! Keep it up! ^_^

[@me-myself-i787]

There are some similar rides. Like Olympia Looping at various fairs and Intimidator 305 at Kings Dominion. Also, Vekoma still makes new Suspended Looping Coasters, including Mayan at EnergyLandia, and these are intense rollercoasters with suboptimal transitions, though newer iterations like Mayan and the Great Nor'Easter at Morey's Piers have better profiling and restraints.

[@TheSandyXie]

I missed this series so much! I just finished rewatching the old ones so perfect timing!!!!

[@Ebiru2387]

I remember having my head feel like a pinball, constantly bouncing left to right unless I made an concerted effort to keep my head in place. That said, riding the coaster at night was a cool sight, as it was the northern most part of the property by the entrance and you could see a good portion of the park and neighboring parts of Gurnee (the town).

[@JbSprinkles]

Me: Watching Cat and Game Videos KZbin Recs: What Really Happened on Shockwave Me: Well, wtf did Really Happened on Shockwave?

[@evirareid1500]

Facts

[@CoasterQueen8799]

As an Arrow nerd (and former Vortex ride op), I absolutely love this! I also love the song used for the end credits. What’s it called?

[@poppyfoxart]

I had to go search it up by the lyrics, but it's called "In a Spaceship" by Gamma Skies and it's on KZbin! :)

[@doogledog101]

I loved the Beast operator we had a few years ago, they said “wanna heat a joke? Mystic Timbers!” It was a funny moment right before the ride started

[@Joypyf]

Great video! I loved Shockwave for its height at the time, first drop, and beautiful color scheme. It was rough though, and at minimum - headache inducing every time I rode it.

[@The_Hand]

You are singlehandedly helping me get over my fear of everything going wrong on the coaster final destination style, thank you!

[@TimothyChapman]

I wonder if much of this could have been avoided by adding a trim brake on the first drop. Granted it would defeat the purpose of the large drop, but it would also reduce wear on the ride.

[@princesskristan]

I missed these!!!

[@joebiggs5408]

Just came across your channel, love the way you present them and how passionate you are about coasters!! Subbed 👌

[@eliontheinternet3298]

Zero Credits Remaining is super cool, I just watched a bunch of their videos! Thanks for collabing with them.

[@CoasterCollege]

Love their channel!