Since Nitro opened in 2001, I have been chomping at the bit to ride this B&M hyper to see how it stacked up to my current #1 steelie, S:RoS @ SFNE.
Over the years I have heard and read comparisons regarding air-time, speed, and that most important X-factor, fun. So, earlier this July, I finally made it back to SFGAdv and experienced this much bally-hooed steelie.
I rode about 5 times overall, and I found the front seat to be the absolute most fun. The first drop looks great at the crest of the lift hill, and when I sat on the far outside left of the train the banked turn at the crest of the second hill was fantastic. The airtime was, I guess, more floater in nature, and the positive Gs in the hammerhead turn and helix were quite noticeable.
However, there are a few features of this ride that really prevent it from scoring a ten. As with just about all B&M trains, I really do not like sitting anywhere other than the front as the view anywhere else is way too obstructed. Maybe the seat configuration on Behemoth at CW solves that now, but 4-across seating really annoys me for some reason. The restraints and the slightly reclined seats are incredibly comfortable, but it still does not make up enough for the seating arrangement. The mid-course block brake broke the pacing of the ride and was more of a distraction for me than anything else, and I thought the run home could have ended with a bit of a more forceful flourish.
That being said, there is still no reason for me not to head to this ride next time I am in the park. It is great fun, extremely re-rideable and not to be missed. If not for a genetic hybrid on the other side of the park, I would rate this the best ride at Great Adventure.
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