Six Flags Great Adventure has finally pulled back the curtain on its heavily guarded “Project Purple,” and the replacement is nothing short of monumental.
Say hello to Bakunawa, a mythological beast of a roller coaster that is swooping in to totally redefine the New Jersey park’s skyline.
What is Bakunawa?
Inspired by the legendary serpentine sea monster of folklore that attempts to devour the moon, Bakunawa is taking over the space left by the park’s former record-holders. But instead of just building a taller, faster straight-shot coaster, Six Flags went completely left-field—and park enthusiasts are losing their minds.
Rising a jaw-dropping 382 feet into the air, this multi-launch beast is packed with cutting-edge engineering that blends towering heights with unpredictable thrills.
Breaking Records Left and Right
Six Flags isn’t just building a new ride; they are rewriting the record books. Bakunawa is officially slated to shatter six world records when it opens in 2027:
- World’s Tallest Spinning Coaster (382 feet)
- World’s Fastest Spinning Coaster (100 mph)
- World’s First Floorless Spinning Coaster
- World’s First Upside-Down Launch (Accelerating from 60 to 80 mph while completely inverted!)
- World’s Fastest Inversion (80 mph)
- World’s Longest Stall Inversion
The Ultimate Ride Experience
Spanning a 2-minute and 17-second journey, Bakunawa features three linear synchronous motor (LSM) launches. Because the vehicles feature free-spinning, floorless seats that rotate independently, no two rides will ever be the same.
Imagine launching out of a station, hitting an upside-down launch at breakneck speeds, spiraling nearly 400 feet into the air for jaw-dropping views of the Jersey Shore, and spinning wildly all the way down. It’s an entirely new breed of thrill ride.
More Than Just a Thrill
Beyond the adrenaline, “Project Purple” originally adopted its placeholder name as a nod to a meaningful partnership with the nonprofit Project Purple to raise awareness and support in the fight against pancreatic cancer—adding an extra layer of heart to this massive skyline transformation.
Ready for Your Next Road Trip?
If you’re a roller coaster junkie or looking for an excuse for a New Jersey getaway, 2027 can’t come fast enough. Bakunawa promises to be a total game-changer for the amusement industry.
What do you think of Six Flags’ massive new direction? Are you ready to brave a 100 mph spinning coaster, or do you miss the classic speed giants? Let us know on Twitter/X!
Clint Gamache is the owner of ThrillGeek. He started ThrillGeek to share his love of theme/amusement parks and pop culture with the world. You can find him at Halloween Horror Nights. Also, be sure to follow him on Twitter/X, Instagram @iamcg83