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The world's first hyper coaster, Magnum XL-200 at Cedar Point

A hypercoaster can mean one of two things;

• A "style/model"[1] [2] [3] of roller coaster that incorporates three features:
  • An initial drop and/or lift hill of 200-299 feet
  • Lacks any inverting elements
  • Features a lift hill, not a launch

• A height classification of roller coasters that incorporates only one of the above features, a lift hill/drop of 200-299 feet. Because of the more common usage of the term "Hypercoaster" for a style of coaster, the term "Megacoaster" is more appropriate for height classification.

The world's first hypercoaster was Magnum XL-200 by Cedar Point. Costing $8,000,000 USD, Cedar Point chose Arrow Dynamics to design and construct Magnum XL-200. Construction on the world's tallest, fastest, longest,and steepest complete circuit roller coaster began in 1988. By May 6, 1989, Magnum XL-200 was ready for its first riders. Since its debut, Magnum XL-200 has served more than 36 million guests [4].

A hypercoaster is one that is built for speed and airtime. To accomplish this the elements of a hypercoaster are a large first drop, generally several additional drops of declining height, a turn around and then many airtime-inducing hills. Hypercoasters are commonly designed with an out and back layout, although some hypercoasters, such as Raging Bull are built with a twisted design. All hypercoasters feature lap bar restraints.

Hypercoasters are generally well accepted by the public and dominate the Amusement Today Golden Ticket Awards. For 2006, Superman: Ride of Steel, located at Six Flags New England was ranked highest at #1. Several other hypercoasters followed such as Magnum XL-200 (#3), Nitro (#4), Apollo's Chariot (#5). The hypercoasters make up the majority of the 2006 Top 10 Steel Coasters, filling 7/10 positions! [5]

Hypercoasters were first manufactured by Arrow Dynamics in the late 1980s to early 1990s. Since then, Bolliger & Mabillard, Intamin AG, Chance-Morgan, and Giovanola have all begun to design and construct hypercoasters. The price tag of hypercoasters continues to rise, currently, Bolliger & Mabillard manufactures the most expensive hypercoasters, many of which cost $20,000,000 USD and above.

A Bolliger & Mabillard hyper coaster, Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia

A Bolliger & Mabillard hyper coaster, Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure

A Chance-Morgan hyper coaster Steel Force

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The following are hypercoasters in the "style" sense of the word. They conform to the hypercoaster style of not having inversions or launch mechanisms, and the manufacturers specifically list them as hypercoasters.

• *These coasters received hypercoaster "style/model" status when they were renovated in some way but always met the height classification

The following are hypercoasters in the height sense of the word. They may feature inversions and/or launch mechanisms, unlike coasters that conform to the hypercoaster "style."

An Intamin AG coaster that meets the height requirement for a hypercoaster Xcelerator at Knott's Berry Farm

• Bolliger & Mabillard's Offical Website
• Intamin AG's Official Website