World's Tallest Roller Coaster Kingda Ka Destroyed with Explosion at Six Flags: Watch the Dramatic Collapse

Mar. 15, 2025

After a nearly 20-year run, the king has fallen.

On Friday, Feb. 28, the famous Kingda Ka roller coaster at Six Flags Great Adventures in Jackson, N.J., was imploded, ending its tenure as the tallest coaster in the world.

Kingda Ka.Jeremy Thompson/Flickr/Creative Commons

Jeremy Thompson/Flickr/Creative Commons

Thedemolition was announced last November, as part of the Six Flags Entertainment Corporation’s investment into its theme parks, priced over $1 billion.

Six Flags Great Adventure(2)

While many New Jerseyans may begrudgingly welcome the replacing coaster, thrill seekers won’t be short-changed on speed when it comes to one of the forthcoming rides. According to theofficial website, a new ride called The Flash: Vertical Velocity, will be “North America’s first super boomerang coaster,” and only the second of its kind in the world.

Kingda Ka towers over everything on the Six Flags Great Adventure skyline.© Arthur Levine.

As for the coaster debuting in 2026, no name has been assigned yet but it is already being helmed as an “all-new, multi-record-breaking launch coaster.” Bacica said it will be “a must-ride attraction sure to capture fans’ imaginations.”

The new attractions have some big rails to fill, as Kingda Ka took riders up 45 stories and launched them at 128 mph in just 50 seconds. It also reportedly delivered over 12 million rides since its debut in 2005.

source: people.com