Grading the new for 2025 dive coaster at Six Flags Great America.

Gurnee, IL — Standing 180-feet tall between Chicago and Milwaukee looms a demonic presence feeding on the fears of thrill seekers alike.

It is a roller coaster demanding much from those who dare to ride: A daunting beyond vertical drop. Speed. Pacing. Snappy inversions. Gut-wrenching gravitational forces.

“Wrath of Rakshasa” is unlike anything the millions of people surrounding Six Flags Great America has seen in its 49-year history

Here’s a personal review, tips for new riders and Let’s take a dive into the new-for-2025 record-breaking roller coaster in Gurnee, Illinois.

The Ornelas Bros. “Rakshasa” disaster ushers new era for County Fair

Theming grade: A–

Wrath of Rakshasa replaced Buccaneer Battle, a once beloved family water attraction. Not many people would think a roller coaster, let alone one of such a size, would replace that attraction.

Legend has it, after hearing of the pirate’s demise, The Ornelas Bros. brought its exposition into Great America’s historic County Fair section, showcasing an other-worldly demon unbeknownst as the Rakshasa.

But then, disaster struck.

The Rakshasa broke free, wreaking havoc throughout County Fair. In its path, the demon destroyed everything, set to unleash its wrath in the area for years to come.

Similar to the “Raging Bull” escaping and threatening Southwest Territory for over 25 years.

A rather devious shapeshifter, the Rakshasa, part of the mythological list of malevolent demons, can turn itself into anything it desires. These so-called demons appear as a monstrous-looking creature with fangs and claws-like fingernails.

In its new shapeshifted form, the Rakshasa now stands as a 180-foot roller coaster in the middle of Great America.

The theming itself, as mentioned, honors the history of Great America story telling that many are not aware of, but would become interested in when waiting in the shaded que line.

Layout/visuals: A+

Six Flags Great America President John Krajnak and his team has maintained one value in its new attractions: make it a record-breaker.

But every record breaker has its flaws… let’s get to that soon.

Goliath remains the tallest and fastest wooden coaster. Maxx Force is, as of summer of 2025, the fastest accelerating launch in the world.

Now, Great America can say it has the steepest drop and most inversions on a Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) dive coaster. A dive coaster’s signature element is its drop, hanging riders over a large drop for three seconds, then releasing into a custom layout.

That soon might change with Six Flags Over Texas’ new for 2026 B&M dive coaster, which is rumored to break records and reach 300-feet (giga status). In fact, Krajnak previously said Dr. Diabolical Cliffhanger was intended for Great America, before it went to Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

Situated on the County Fair midway in the park’s center, the golden orange supports and 3,239 feet of blue track suspends riders 180 feet in the air, before diving 171 feet into the world record 96-degree drop and five inversions.

It stands boisterously in the Great America skyline as the new-aged giant that it is, right in the middle of the park.

In order: riders will experience an Immelmann, dive loop, zero g-roll into a steep downwards helix, a two-inversion “demonic knot” element, then ends with a couple helix’s.

Ride experience: B+

The drop itself provides some solid airtime, as your stomach will twist through the beyond vertical drop into a fast-paced Immelmann and dive loop. The zero-g roll into the the step helix provides a variety of forces both pulling you out of the seat and right back into it.

The demonic knot features a corkscrew-like roll into a 270-degree left bank turn, offering solid positive g-forces throughout, then another roll tucked under the first. This element is only similar on the B&M wing coaster Flug der Dämonen at Germany’s Heide Park Resort, but provides much different forces.

The fifth and final inversion out of the demonic knot pulls into a series of helices to conclude the 45-second experience.

The over-the-shoulder harness restraints are very comfortable, unlike Great America’s B&M wing coaster X-Flight, which constrains your body and very bad.

Now for the bad news on Wrath of Rakshasa: you need luck on your side to have a smooth ride.

Best place to sit is front row, naturally for the views, but mostly for the smoothness. The middle row is a little rougher, especially on edge seats, but its a graceful bump that is enjoyable.

However, the back row needs talking to.

The best analogy riding Wrath of Rakshasa in the back row is like riding on one of the vibration chairs you find at some other amusement parks or malls. The 2000’s kids know what’s up. Another way to explain the roughness is if you drive your car over

Que/wait times: A-

What’s disappointing with Wrath of Wrakshasa is the fact you need to be lucky in order to not be assigned the back row.

No requests. Don’t even try.

If you do want front row, try to let an unsuspecting group of at least seven people in front of you. Count the number of people in front of you and make sure it’s in increments of seven, with 21 riders per train.

The ride is designed to satisfy as many people as possible. If operating three trains, thousands of riders will experience the attraction per hour, which is great for a park that serves thousands each day. As a result, the line is always moving.

The que itself it mostly shaded, with the final part being outdoors.

What’s really cool about this attraction, and newer B&M dive coasters, is its conveyor system for loose articles. Just place everything in the bins and it’ll be there for you at the exit. Badabing badaboom.

Overall grade: A

Wrath of Rakshasa, when it comes to satisfying the masses of Great America, is a perfect addition to the park.

It has forever changed the skyline for good reason.

Six Flags Great America has always felt like a “complete” park. But now, with Wrath of Rakshasa in the mix, it’s in the conversation of being the most complete park in the Six Flags Chain.