Virtual Reality has been around for quite some time, though it really feels like it’s been hitting its stride recently. Virtual Reality headsets are popping up all over the place, and pre-orders for the HTC Vive have blown away most expectations. You can add one more piece of evidence to the list of reasons why Virtual Reality has truly made it: Samsung and Six Flags have announced a partnership to bring Virtual Reality Roller Coasters to Six Flags parks across North America.
Now, before you start thinking about those small, enclosed virtual roller coasters you can find at your local Gameworks, that’s not what we’re talking about here. This partnership brings VR headsets — Samsung Gear VR, if there was any doubt — to nine roller coasters at various Six Flags parks. There will be two different Virtual Reality experiences available: New Revolution Virtual Reality Coasters, and SUPERMAN Virtual Reality Coasters.
New Revolution Virtual Reality
Riders are transported to a futuristic battle to save planet earth from an alien invasion. Riders are the co-pilots in their own fighter jets as they strap in for air-to-air combat. Taking in the view around them, riders will see other aircraft in an underground secret bunker. As the aircraft moves to a landing pad, it begins to launch its thruster engines, lifting the craft straight up through the roof. During the ascent, riders can test fire their weapons using the world’s first-ever interactive gameplay technology on a roller coaster.
The New Revolution Virtual Reality experience will be coming to the following parks/coasters:
- Shock Wave at Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, opening March 10 to Season Pass Holders as a special sneak preview
- Dare Devil Dive at Six Flags Over Georgia outside of Atlanta, opening March 12 to Season Pass Holders as a special sneak preview
- The New Revolution at Six Flags Magic Mountain near Los Angeles, opening March 26 to Season Pass Holders as a special sneak preview
- Ninja at Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka
- Steamin’ Demon at The Great Escape in Lake George, New York
- Goliath at La Ronde in Montreal.
SUPERMAN Virtual Reality
Guests will be taken on a leisurely (or so they think) tour of the city of Metropolis, courtesy of Lex Corp Sky Tours. Just after departing the station riders encounter Lex Luthor who uses an anti-gravity gun along with his army of Lex Bots to create chaos throughout the city with cars, taxis and buses floating in mid-air around the rider’s vehicle.
Superman will, of course, come through and save the day. You’ll be able to experience the Superman VR at the following parks:
- SUPERMAN Krypton Coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio
- SUPERMAN The Ride at Six Flags New England in Agawam, Massachusetts
- SUPERMAN Ride of Steel at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.
Kind of bummed that Six Flags Great America in Gurnee, IL was overlooked. Rides like Raging Bull or X-Flight seem like perfect fits for the New Revolution VR. Our Superman roller coaster (Superman Ultimate Flight) probably wouldn’t work so well as a VR experience though with the simulated flying position of the seats. Of the available coasters, the closest one to me is Ninja at Six Flags St. Louis. If I make it to St. Louis this summer I’ll see if I can try out the VR experience. Otherwise, we may try and get a guest post from some of my coaster enthusiast friends and family.
What do you think about Virtual Reality roller coasters? Let us know in the comment section below, or on Facebook, Google+, or Twitter.
[button link=”https://news.samsung.com/global/six-flags-and-samsung-partner-to-launch-first-virtual-reality-roller-coasters-in-north-america” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Source: Samsung Newsroom[/button]
Comments are closed.