Two dive coaster world records, one Illinois roller coaster: a 96-degree drop and five inversions. Wrath of Rakshasa opened May 31, 2025, at Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, instantly becoming the steepest and most-inverted dive coaster on Earth.
Built by Swiss manufacturer Bolliger & Mabillard, the 180-foot steel coaster sends riders plunging 171 feet at 67 mph before threading them through five inversions themed around a shape-shifting demon from Hindu mythology. Here’s everything you need to know before you ride, including the height requirement, the full element sequence, and how it stacks up against every other dive coaster in the world.
Quick Answer
Wrath of Rakshasa is a Bolliger & Mabillard dive coaster at Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL) that holds two world records: steepest dive coaster drop (96 degrees, one degree past vertical) and most inversions on a dive coaster (five). It stands 180 feet tall, drops 171 feet, hits 67 mph, and requires riders to be between 48 and 78 inches tall.
The Two World Records, Explained
Dive coasters are a specific B&M ride category built around a signature vertical or beyond-vertical first drop, floorless trains, and a slow, suspenseful hang at the top of the lift before that drop. Wrath of Rakshasa broke two records within this category simultaneously at its 2025 debut.
The steepest drop record went from Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger at Six Flags Fiesta Texas (95 degrees) to Wrath of Rakshasa’s 96-degree descent — one degree past straight down, meaning riders briefly hang tipped slightly backward over the drop before release. The most-inversions record moved from Yukon Striker at Canada’s Wonderland, which held four inversions, up to Wrath of Rakshasa’s five: an Immelmann loop, a dive loop, a zero-g roll, a corkscrew, and a barrel roll.
Ride Experience: Element by Element
After the chain lift hoists trains to 180 feet, riders hang suspended at the top for several seconds — the classic dive-coaster pause — before the 171-foot, 96-degree drop launches them to roughly 67 mph. From there, the layout runs through the Immelmann loop, dive loop, zero-g roll, and a corkscrew stacked above a barrel roll, connected by sweeping turns and a 360-degree helix before the final brake run.
Each of the three trains carries 21 riders across three rows of seven, seated floorless with B&M vest restraints rather than traditional over-the-shoulder harnesses, which gives the open, feet-dangling sensation dive coasters are known for. A full lap takes about two minutes, and Great America runs all three trains simultaneously to keep the line moving despite the ride’s intensity.
Height Requirement and Who Can Ride
Six Flags Great America lists a height requirement of 48 to 78 inches (122–198 cm) for Wrath of Rakshasa — both a minimum and a maximum, which is typical for B&M vest-restraint coasters since the restraint system needs to lock securely against a rider’s shoulders. Guests near either limit should expect a test-seat check at the entrance.
Because the restraints are rigid vests rather than lap bars, riders should also expect standard dive-coaster guidance: secure loose items before boarding (the trains have no floor and nothing to catch a dropped phone or hat), and be prepared for a genuine sensation of tipping backward during the pause at the top of the drop.
The Rakshasa Theme
The ride’s queue is built around a fictional traveling exhibition — staged as though a carnival sideshow has rolled into the County Fair section — displaying artifacts tied to the Rakshasa, a shape-shifting demon from Hindu mythology known for its ability to alter its appearance and terrorize travelers. The theming carries through to the ride’s color scheme: blue track with gold supports, visible from much of the park.
Wrath of Rakshasa replaced the Buccaneer Battle attraction in the County Fair section, and its footprint was built specifically around the dive-coaster’s signature vertical drop tower, which is why the ride reads as a dramatic new skyline feature rather than a retrofit of an older structure.
How It Compares to Other Dive Coasters
B&M has built a small, exclusive family of dive coasters worldwide, and Wrath of Rakshasa now sits at the top of two of its key metrics. It surpasses Yukon Striker (Canada’s Wonderland) and Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger (Six Flags Fiesta Texas) for total inversions, and it edges out Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger and Iron Menace (Hersheypark) for drop angle. Valravn at Cedar Point, another B&M dive coaster, remains taller overall but holds neither of these two records.
In short: several dive coasters are taller, and a couple have similar drop heights, but as of its 2025 debut, none combine a steeper drop or more inversions than Wrath of Rakshasa.
Awards and Recognition
Wrath of Rakshasa’s records translated into industry recognition almost immediately. It placed fifth in Amusement Today’s 2025 Golden Ticket Awards for Best New Theme Concept, and USA Today’s 2026 Readers’ Choice poll ranked it fifth among the best new theme park attractions in the country — a strong showing for a coaster in only its first full operating season.
Planning Your Visit
Six Flags Great America operates on a seasonal schedule, with hours that expand on weekends and during summer months and contract in the shoulder season — so it’s worth checking the day you plan to go rather than assuming a fixed opening time. Tickets are sold in several tiers: single-day admission, discounted advance-purchase dates, season passes, and memberships that include parking and dining add-ons, all through the park’s official channels.
As of Wrath of Rakshasa’s debut, the ride did not yet have a dedicated skip-the-line or single-rider queue, so wait times can run long on peak days — arriving at park opening and riding it first, or checking one of the park’s virtual queue or Flash Pass options if available for the season, are the most reliable ways to shorten the wait. For current hours, ticket prices, and any line-skipping options, check the official Six Flags Great America site before you go.
Wrath of Rakshasa dive coaster FAQs
What world records does Wrath of Rakshasa hold?
Wrath of Rakshasa holds two dive coaster world records: the steepest drop angle at 96 degrees beyond vertical, and the most inversions on a dive coaster at five, surpassing previous record holders Dr. Diabolical’s Cliffhanger and Yukon Striker.
What is the height requirement for Wrath of Rakshasa?
Riders must be between 48 and 78 inches (122–198 cm) tall. The upper limit exists because the B&M vest restraints need to lock securely, which isn’t possible for very tall riders.
Where is Wrath of Rakshasa located?
Wrath of Rakshasa is in the County Fair section of Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, Illinois, on the site of the former Buccaneer Battle attraction.
Who built Wrath of Rakshasa?
The coaster was designed and built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the Swiss manufacturer also behind other record-setting dive coasters, including Valravn at Cedar Point and Yukon Striker at Canada’s Wonderland.
How many inversions does Wrath of Rakshasa have, and what are they?
Five: an Immelmann loop, a dive loop, a zero-g roll, a corkscrew, and a barrel roll, connected by sweeping turns and a 360-degree helix.
Is there a single rider line or line-skip option for Wrath of Rakshasa?
The ride did not launch with a dedicated single-rider queue. Check the official Six Flags Great America site for current Flash Pass or virtual queue availability before your visit.
How long is the Wrath of Rakshasa ride?
A full ride cycle, from launch out of the station to the final brake run, takes approximately two minutes, covering 3,239 feet of track.
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