Date Ridden: Many times over the last 20 years. Times Ridden: Lots of times in every seat.
I have a number of things to discuss regarding this wonderful old ride at my home park and I really don't know where to begin. I think I'll start with nostalgia.
Growing up and visiting Six Flags was always a fun experience and I can remember the Mindbender being the featured attraction. I was too small for it and would have never ridden it anyway. As I got older and was able to ride it, it scared me to death. It was tall, fast, and the part at the top of the lift hill where the train completely stops and then creeps around the curve before dropping into the first loop is among the scariest moments you will ever find on a thrill ride. I can remember when they re-themed the ride into that of the supervillain Riddler to go along with the Batman ride next to it. The themeing still exists today as both the track and the surrounding water elements (which the ride makes extensive use of) are colored green.
OK, enough nostalgia. As a current amusement park ride, Mindbender has its
definite pluses. Other reviewers have noted the presence of the inversions minus the OTSRs. That is a definite plus. The loops are also very intense with centrifugal force pinning you to your seat. One loop is located directly near one of the water falls which adds to the ride visually. The ride is also very smooth with no jackhammering or karate chops to the spine present.
So why only an 8? Despite the positive listed above, Mindbender is just not that great. I realize that the coaster is an engineering marvel for its time, but there is absolutely no way it is in the top 25 steel coasters in the world as the Golden Tickets continually place it. Having ridden over 300 coasters, I would place it in my top 50 but not any higher. I'm going with an 8 because I feel that rides like Goliath, Apollos Chariot, and Nitro deserve 9s and this creation from the 70s is nowhere near their class. I love the Mindbender and the memories that it brings back to me, but still cant justify a higher rating despite what most critics say. I'll always ride a couple of times on each trip as the line is virtually non-existent and appreciate the place it holds in many coaster enthusiasts hearts. I just don't understand the critical acclaim that it receives. Oh well.
Overall Rating - 8
Ride Mindbender below.
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