Nitro: A Must-Ride Experience
Hypercoasters are synonymous with extreme height, impressive speed, and exhilarating airtime, and Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure delivers on all three counts. This ride is incredibly smooth and exhilarating, making it a must-try for thrill-seekers visiting the park.
- Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 7
- Features wild speed, height, and G-forces, but notably lacks inversions.
- Coaster type: Hypercoaster, Out-and-back
- Top speed: 80 mph
- Height restriction: Riders must be at least 54 inches tall.
- Height of lift hill: 230 feet
- First drop: 215 feet
- Duration of ride: 2 minutes, 20 seconds
- Interestingly, the front of the train typically provides more airtime and a more intense experience than the back.
- Location: Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey
Bone-Rattling Speed
Nitro is strategically located at the back of the park. Its massive yellow and purple track winds its way through the woods just outside the gates of Six Flags. The ride’s layout remains somewhat mysterious to passengers until they are fully immersed in the exhilarating experience.
The design of the impressive 36-passenger trains is remarkable as they arrive at the loading station. Riders enjoy low-slung sides and elevated seats, enhancing their sense of exposure. Since Nitro features no inversions, over-the-shoulder restraints are absent; instead, a single, discreet T lap bar secures passengers, contributing to a thrilling feeling of vulnerability.
There is no gradual ascent at the peak of the lift hill. Nitro plunges straight down a 215-foot drop, accelerating to an exhilarating speed of 80 mph. Immediately after, it soars up a second hill, delivering exhilarating airtime before veering left into the New Jersey wilderness.
The Sweet Release of Floating Airtime
The coaster continues to navigate a series of hills that alternate between intense positive G-forces and delightful floating airtime. Following its horseshoe-style turnaround, Nitro plunges into a double helix that subjects riders to intense G-forces, which can be overwhelming for some. Personally, the spiraling helixes might detract from the ride’s energy, resulting in a less thrilling sequence than a ride filled with continuous hills and airtime.
In comparison with other hypercoasters, Nitro stands shoulder to shoulder with notable rides such as Apollo’s Chariot at Busch Gardens in Virginia, Diamondback at Kings Island, and Mako at SeaWorld Orlando. Each of these coasters, crafted by Bolliger & Mabillard of Switzerland, provides stellar experiences. However, Apollo’s Chariot, Diamondback, and Mako offer smoother rides and favor hills without interrupting their airtime with a double helix. Nonetheless, Nitro is among the best steel roller coasters, although the top position is held by another hypercoaster at Six Flags—Superman the Ride at Six Flags New England, which is manufactured by Intamin.
Interestingly, the only other coaster at Great Adventure that rivals Nitro in terms of a glass-smooth ride and exhilarating airtime is El Toro, a wooden coaster with a unique hybrid track that sets it apart from traditional wooden rides. Together, both coasters create an impressive experience for thrill enthusiasts.
Additionally, Great Adventure is home to other notable attractions such as Kingda Ka, recognized as one of the world’s fastest and tallest coasters, and Superman Ultimate Flight, an exhilarating flying coaster.
