This was the first coaster I rode to get over my fear of roller coasters. How awesome you have this video to bring back memories. I'll never forget that first drop. The first time I tried to get the nerve to ride this, I was in line for 45 mins, got past all the trees, saw the tall loops, then jumped the line and headed toward the exit. Yes, I was that scared. I laugh now!! I wish this would be resurrected back at Six Flags Great America.
PS. Almost forgot about the Wicked Turn until I watched this... it's what my friend and I used to call the brake run after the 3rd loop. Ohh what great memories.
awesome! This ride shook the shit out of you, but the G-force you would get from it was totally worth it! Riding Shockwave was like astronautic training. I liked it a lot more than the shit superman ultimate flight coaster that replaced it.
Thanks a ton for this upload, a rare gem now that Shockwave is no more.
@Kravis63 OMG. I totally agree with you about the Superman Ultimate Flight. The only exciting part of that ride is the diving loop. After that, it's soooooo boring!
@eyedea81 I think you are right. Nobody has a POV video from this coaster. I shot this around 2000 on a business trip. WAY BEFORE YOUTUBE! I love watching and remembering the best coaster i've ever been on. I just recorded a couple new coaster videos. Check them out...
Sadly, it was plagued with metal fatigue problems. They constantly were doing repair work on the the first loop as well as a few other sections. That said, it was probably one of the greatest modern roller coasters ever built, and for a small investment, could have been fixed properly. Also, they could have (and should have) simply built Superman around it. Shock Wave did have a sister coaster at Great Adventure called Great American Scream Machine, but sadly, is also gone.
When it opened, it was the tallest, and fastest in the world. It had the most inversions, and was the most advanced computer controlled roller coaster. It was able to run three trains, so you didn't have to wait as long to ride. I loved the g-forces it pulled and I always sat in the back row to maximize the pull. It's just too bad it was tearing itself apart, and maintenance was getting too expensive. Shockwave was only the second real roller coaster I ever rode, but it was the best.
man, being a little kid I always wanted to ride this ride, and the year I got 54" superman replaced. I don't mind shaky coasters, was this ride really good cuz ill never know!? RIP Shockwave
What you probably won't get from watching the video is how fun the left turn after the first loop was. Really felt like you were going to get thrown off the track.
@5089637629 Yeah right, it's the same ride except for the 2nd loop being right next to the chain lift, the mid ride chain break, the butterfly cork screw... lol the Viper is a completely different (much weaker) ride except for the first drop & loop. If you don't believe me or have a hard time following along, just look at what is to the right of each ride during the 2nd loop - here is the viper clip to compare: youtube.com/watch?v=DNs8nJ-FSiM
Side note: I recently took my 10 year old nephew to Six Flags so he could ride the Raging Bull for the first time. On the way there I was telling him about Shock Wave and how awesome it was. When we left the park that night he said, "The Raging Bull was so cool... but I wish they still had Shock Wave".... This ride will live on for a long time.
This was the first roller coaster I ever went on. I was terrified standing in line with my friends & their big brothers, but I didn't want to puss out. To this day I still compare every roller coaster I go on to Shock Wave... nothing is as intense. I remember having to grunt my way through it from the G's that this thing put you through! Wish they never took it down. Great that you stole a video of it, and from the front car too. Thanks for posting.
I never got to ride this, in fact I barely remember seeing this at the park. But what I've heard from my parents and friends, this was a pretty rough ride and wasn't exactly the smoothest. I also heard that it was broken down quite a bit. Not my idea of an efficient and fun ride. :/
@supremeguy1879 Nope. They got rid of it and replaced it with Superman. (Although I heard they WERE going to get rid of the Whizzer and put Superman there instead, but too many patrons wanted the Whizzer to stay.)
Dude, you are awesome for having and sharing this video!! I didn't have a video camera back then!! I remember riding this several times at the end of the night, and this video brought back some great memories!! Thanks!!
You are so welcome. I shot this I think in 2000. I love watching and riding this over and over. This was my first camera with video. I had 2 340MB cards to last me a week in Chicago. As it turns out, I got the only real front seat video of Shockwave. The video obviously shot way before YouTube!!
@DrunKENgatorFan Yeah, this like diggin in the crates, the vaults, ya know!! How technology has advanced, but there still isn't a ride as legendary to my youth as Shockwave!! Great to see older footage!!
@xCOASTERFREAKx Meh, apples to oranges. One was about speed and force, the other about a unique sensation. Went on both. Both were fun for different reasons.
i wish arrow dynamics would come back somehow now, and bring back shockwave and great american scream machine, and find a way to make their trains not rough anymore
@ToastedxPoptart nobody died on this... a lot of people got the shit beat out of them on this. Superman is a pansy little kid's ride compared to the Shockwave... don't get me wrong, Superman IS great, but it's missing the aura that the Shockwave had.. Shockwave was a world record holder when they built it, and it LOOKED evil. Even in the pretty blue paint. I miss is dearly and really wished somebody could have bought it and put it up at another park.
The ride can be summed up this way...incredibly intense first half with a very good first drop and very, very tight loops and a rough transition between the first and second loop. Incredible intensity but a bit rough. Then a brutal transition after the third loop into the mid course brakes. The second half of the ride was just a few headbanging inversions. But I've never been on anything that matches the intensity of the first half of this ride. By 2002, however, the ride was too rough.
There is a ride that is almost identical to this at Six Flags Magic Mountain called Viper that is still open. I love Arrow Dynamic's rides (the manufacturer.) Unfortunately, Arrow went out of business in 2002, and it's designer (Ron Toomer) has been retired for over 12 years. But these were awesome rides.
@coastercrutchfield It's "almost identical" except for the 2nd loop being right next to the chain lift, the mid ride chain break, the butterfly cork screw... lol the Viper is a completely different (much weaker) ride except for the first drop & loop. Here is the viper clip: youtube.com/watch?v=DNs8nJ-FSiM
I heard the ride had structure problems. Too many g's pulled in the first loop and created hairline fractured in the tracks that had to be continually repaired. And, the uneven transitions between the trim and the pretzel and corkscrew elements were hard on the trucks and wheels, the latter of which were constantly needing replacement. It was probably pretty expensive to maintain for a steel ride. It was fun. The viper at magic mountain and the great American scream machine in NJ were almost id
@rickarkels great american scream machine and viper did not have every single issue shockwave did. GASM was taken down to make room for great adventures new green lantern coaster, and viper is pretty stable, and has no current problems other than being a bit rough. so it doesnt need to be taken down at all unlike its older sisters.
I miss this roller coaster so much! I remember my last time on it...it was like me and three other people and it was amaaaazingg! Great ride! You are missed!
PS I miss you Shockwave!!! And I hope your designer builds you again because you were a huge part of history....when you came to Great America, Gurnee, IL you were state of the art....TOP of the line....got everybody talking....people waited in line for over an hour..... Yeah..let's tear this pile of crap down, it sucks! Somebody HAD to have been smokin something man!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for this video.... Please tell us when you exactly took this video.
Sorry it took a week to get back to you. The video was shot around 2000, 2001. I went on a business trip and got a free day prior to the training! I always make good use of my time!! Hard to believe nobody else has a front seat video of this ride. I used my very FIRST pocket camera that came with video. My 340mb Micro Drive had to cover almost a week of photos and videos in Chicago!! Back then that was the shit!
This was my favorite roller coaster EVER at Gurnee!! I heard that they literally tore it down and scrapped the metal!! Ridiculous!!
This thing spanked the Demon hardcore!!!
Taller!! Faster!! Longer!! Bigger Corkscrews!! Bigger Loops!! SCREW THE DEMON!!!!
The Demon sucks compared to this coaster and I will go to my grave wondering who the asshole was that decided THIS coaster is the one to go to the scrapyard AND WHY!!!! If roller coasters were living things....The Demon sat there laughing as th
I can't f**king believe that there wasn't a park that wanted to buy the Shockwave... this was a GREAT GRRRREEEAAAAAT !!! coaster, and I miss it BIG TIME :(
This was my first roller coaster ride ever. Talk about easing your way into it. This thing was amazing. The speed, the rattles and most of all the G Forces. That first loop didnt matter who you were your head was going to be in your lap.
Well I got to experience the ride through this guys pov. I didn't get to ride it and the year I was able to they shut it down then the following year it was gone. Thanks guys for this video
I never rode the Shockwave. I've been to Great America only a couple of times (I'm a Pittsburgh chick). But I heard that thing used to beat the hell out of riders. That and a lot of coaster enthusiasts (me included) don't like wearing the harnasses. We call 'em horse collars.
Multi element loopers are out of style now. That's one reason why Kennywood took the loops out of the Steel Phantom and renamed it the Phantom's Revenge.
I think you are right. I've never found another video from on this ride. That's special. I took this around 2000 or 2001, just after i got my first digital camera. Had my big 340MB Microdrives!!
@DrunKENgatorFan Awesome man! thanks for sharing, this was the first ride i ever went on when i was a kid, now thanks to you, im here showing my daughter how fun her first coaster ride is going to be next week
Oh, fooey. Your teeth look fine. They just need whitener. So do most people's. Thank you for the very well-recorded nostalgia trip! I miss living out there.
@comedypickle My Science teacher last year told me that it was an unsafe ride because of how many G-Forces it had. Doesn't that statement in and of itself make you cry that you didn't get to ride it. I'm going to go cry now.
I remember back in the day no one else would ride this coaster and we would be able to stay on without having to get back into line. This has to be one of my all time favorite coasters. I think my neck hurts though.
Its an exact copy of scream machine, its kinda good for me cause now I know that scream machin is still out there, just in differnt colors. Now I want to go to great america
i still find it funny, that when Shockwave opened it was the tallest roller coaster, kind of a big deal, and they gave it no landscaping or theming, they just put it in the parking lot.
NICE!
dwkcamman611 2 days ago
Blackout central baby! Ugh I miss this.
Chumpster1981 1 month ago
This was the first coaster I rode to get over my fear of roller coasters. How awesome you have this video to bring back memories. I'll never forget that first drop. The first time I tried to get the nerve to ride this, I was in line for 45 mins, got past all the trees, saw the tall loops, then jumped the line and headed toward the exit. Yes, I was that scared. I laugh now!! I wish this would be resurrected back at Six Flags Great America.
twanski1977 1 month ago
PS. Almost forgot about the Wicked Turn until I watched this... it's what my friend and I used to call the brake run after the 3rd loop. Ohh what great memories.
CRNA742 1 month ago
This just took me back. I used to know this ride like the back of my hand... watching this made me realize I hadn't forgotten it! RIP, ShockWave.
CRNA742 1 month ago
is this ride still there
captinsodafizz 1 month ago
awesome! This ride shook the shit out of you, but the G-force you would get from it was totally worth it! Riding Shockwave was like astronautic training. I liked it a lot more than the shit superman ultimate flight coaster that replaced it.
Thanks a ton for this upload, a rare gem now that Shockwave is no more.
Kravis63 1 month ago
@Kravis63 OMG. I totally agree with you about the Superman Ultimate Flight. The only exciting part of that ride is the diving loop. After that, it's soooooo boring!
twanski1977 1 month ago
@twanski1977 the diving loop is cool, but your right the rest of the coaster may as well big a swing ride. The "seats" are so damn uncomfortable too.
Kravis63 1 month ago
nice ride, and you did a perfect job holding the camera in such havocal conditions. NICE JOB!
Marz5004 1 month ago in playlist More videos from DrunKENgatorFan
If only I was old enough at the time to ride this. I can't remember how the ride looked since I was only about 6-7 yrs old when they took this out
PReagle44 1 month ago
Best roller coaster I ever rode.
emellis2001 1 month ago
Dude you have a rare video here. Shockwaves in coaster heaven never to be riden again let alone recorded in POV!
eyedea81 2 months ago
@eyedea81 I think you are right. Nobody has a POV video from this coaster. I shot this around 2000 on a business trip. WAY BEFORE YOUTUBE! I love watching and remembering the best coaster i've ever been on. I just recorded a couple new coaster videos. Check them out...
DrunKENgatorFan 2 months ago in playlist roller coasters2
Getting rid of this for Superman... Biggest MISTAKE ever
TheSimplyFabulous 2 months ago
@TheSimplyFabulous I totally agree with you... they should reopen it
TeamMaryJ2012 6 days ago
That is probably the best rollercoaster Gurnee ever had!
Al828282 2 months ago
R.I.P. Shockwave
OldSchoolNascar 2 months ago
Notorious for the headache it gave you from banging your head, but damn, this thing could pull some serious G-force.
KJVIDS82 3 months ago 5
@KJVIDS82 just like Viper @SFMM hahha
CSM0fficial 2 months ago
This soooo reminds me of viper at sfmm
allykap 3 months ago
@allykap its seriously the exact same inversions in the exact same places.....haha
CSM0fficial 2 months ago
@CSM0fficial There was actually a slight difference in the layout due to the parking lot at Gurnee. This made the Gurnee version a few feet longer.
Al828282 2 months ago
That was an awesome view going over that first climb.
AmericasHC 3 months ago
I miss that ride it was my first coster. Its like ur first love thay r gone but not forgotten
MrRedman2009 3 months ago
u sound like the hulk
Gothygirl18 3 months ago
why did they take this out?? please answer
Gothygirl18 3 months ago
@Gothygirl18
Sadly, it was plagued with metal fatigue problems. They constantly were doing repair work on the the first loop as well as a few other sections. That said, it was probably one of the greatest modern roller coasters ever built, and for a small investment, could have been fixed properly. Also, they could have (and should have) simply built Superman around it. Shock Wave did have a sister coaster at Great Adventure called Great American Scream Machine, but sadly, is also gone.
coasterdude84 3 months ago
When it opened, it was the tallest, and fastest in the world. It had the most inversions, and was the most advanced computer controlled roller coaster. It was able to run three trains, so you didn't have to wait as long to ride. I loved the g-forces it pulled and I always sat in the back row to maximize the pull. It's just too bad it was tearing itself apart, and maintenance was getting too expensive. Shockwave was only the second real roller coaster I ever rode, but it was the best.
Excalibur1201 3 months ago
I used to call this the headbanger. Many a headache did I get from this one but each one well worth it.
spiceguy1999 3 months ago
Hey I recognize this ride! It's the same as the Viper at SixFlags Magic Mountain in California :)
andy701 3 months ago
Was superman ultimate flight here after this... looks like the area that it was built.
webkinzarecool10 4 months ago
man, being a little kid I always wanted to ride this ride, and the year I got 54" superman replaced. I don't mind shaky coasters, was this ride really good cuz ill never know!? RIP Shockwave
Drose4president 4 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
i wish they had not taken this down
itzthepopo 5 months ago
This ride was demolished and the ride that is in this spot is Superman ultimate flight
chicagofan675 5 months ago
What you probably won't get from watching the video is how fun the left turn after the first loop was. Really felt like you were going to get thrown off the track.
wigginsray 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
they had that ride?
CurveXD 5 months ago
Comment removed
CurveXD 5 months ago
Why did you film with a potato!?
TheCodmw2rocks 5 months ago
Comment removed
JBisMYmainSQUEEZE 5 months ago
@TheCodmw2rocks This was shot in 2000. All cameras were potatoes.
mkeacorn 5 months ago
HOLY CRAP! i didnt know this ride ever existed!!! Why is it not there now? this looks to me like it beats the raging bull by a mile!!!
Nighscout 5 months ago
Just like Scream Machine at Great Adventure! Scream Machine's track was painted red. Scream Machine is gone too.
jimamia77 5 months ago
the best looping coaster at that park
porkryne72 5 months ago
Now that looks fun!
soph48 5 months ago
@5089637629 Yeah right, it's the same ride except for the 2nd loop being right next to the chain lift, the mid ride chain break, the butterfly cork screw... lol the Viper is a completely different (much weaker) ride except for the first drop & loop. If you don't believe me or have a hard time following along, just look at what is to the right of each ride during the 2nd loop - here is the viper clip to compare: youtube.com/watch?v=DNs8nJ-FSiM
bdoering2712 5 months ago
Side note: I recently took my 10 year old nephew to Six Flags so he could ride the Raging Bull for the first time. On the way there I was telling him about Shock Wave and how awesome it was. When we left the park that night he said, "The Raging Bull was so cool... but I wish they still had Shock Wave".... This ride will live on for a long time.
bdoering2712 5 months ago
This was the first roller coaster I ever went on. I was terrified standing in line with my friends & their big brothers, but I didn't want to puss out. To this day I still compare every roller coaster I go on to Shock Wave... nothing is as intense. I remember having to grunt my way through it from the G's that this thing put you through! Wish they never took it down. Great that you stole a video of it, and from the front car too. Thanks for posting.
bdoering2712 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Damn, this thing hauled ASS! I've never seen an Arrow coaster go this freaking fast
jslim39 5 months ago
Damn this thing HAULED ASS! You never see an Arrow go that freaking fast these days...
jslim39 5 months ago
Comment removed
rockstar5t 6 months ago
I never got to ride this, in fact I barely remember seeing this at the park. But what I've heard from my parents and friends, this was a pretty rough ride and wasn't exactly the smoothest. I also heard that it was broken down quite a bit. Not my idea of an efficient and fun ride. :/
PichuBlues92 6 months ago
What Happended To This Ridee..?? it Looks Awsomeee..!!
babiiYessi 6 months ago
this isnt at great adventure anymore and i never been on it ;(
cantbackdown123 6 months ago
R.I.P Shockwave. ♥
randomchiick1 6 months ago
is this still at great america?!
supremeguy1879 6 months ago
@supremeguy1879 Nope. They got rid of it and replaced it with Superman. (Although I heard they WERE going to get rid of the Whizzer and put Superman there instead, but too many patrons wanted the Whizzer to stay.)
holbrooke7 6 months ago
awesome looks funn
mslolipops100 6 months ago
i though it was tored down in 2002 and the tracks and stuff was melted in 2004
jeniiaaa 6 months ago
@jeniiaaa the edge i know they got fid of. peeps got kiled
tateavery21 6 months ago
Dude, you are awesome for having and sharing this video!! I didn't have a video camera back then!! I remember riding this several times at the end of the night, and this video brought back some great memories!! Thanks!!
JiggidyNDG 6 months ago
@JiggidyNDG
You are so welcome. I shot this I think in 2000. I love watching and riding this over and over. This was my first camera with video. I had 2 340MB cards to last me a week in Chicago. As it turns out, I got the only real front seat video of Shockwave. The video obviously shot way before YouTube!!
DrunKENgatorFan 5 months ago 5
@DrunKENgatorFan Yeah, this like diggin in the crates, the vaults, ya know!! How technology has advanced, but there still isn't a ride as legendary to my youth as Shockwave!! Great to see older footage!!
JiggidyNDG 5 months ago
@DrunKENgatorFan when Ii saw this video my mind re created my head getting rocked at the bottom of the hill.
RyanWehr 5 months ago
When did they even take this ride down??
Nikki062601 6 months ago
this is exactly like viper in magic mountain
flamespliter 6 months ago
Oh how I miss blacking out during the turn after the first loop :) Ride was a beast!
Chumpster1981 6 months ago
wait so did this used to be the tallest and fastest coaster in the world when it opened? i thought i heard that on an old commercial for it....
xCOASTERFREAKx 6 months ago
I gotta say, listening to this again with all the grunting and all the "whooo hoo hoo hoo" in the background...
Kind of sounds like some gay porno flick
(no homo)
TheWitchOvAgnesi 6 months ago
lol great vid!!
ColtnLuger 6 months ago
This is the same as the great american scream machine at six flags great adventure?
TheSnowboarder114 6 months ago
@TheSnowboarder114 Basically, they are both defunct, R.I.P.
coasterfreak49 6 months ago
Comment removed
TheSnowboarder114 6 months ago
Many lifeguards actually complained that this ride made too much noise and it should be pulled from the park.
dudeimamudkip 7 months ago
@dudeimamudkip LOL, because of the screams?
TheWitchOvAgnesi 6 months ago
@TheWitchOvAgnesi LOLOLOLOLOLOL, no, but that'd be really funny! You can hear excessive "creaking" during the lift.
dudeimamudkip 6 months ago
@dudeimamudkip Shockwave Rider: Aiiiiiieeee!!!
Lifeguard 1 to Lifeguard 2: Duuuuude, I think someone needs our help.
Yeah, it was really loud come to think of it. It looked scary from a distance too. A "get on this and you're gonna have a grabber" type of scary.
TheWitchOvAgnesi 6 months ago
How much G's?
VICJR98 7 months ago
Oh I hated this one, it was rough. Killed my neck.
MrScreamQween 7 months ago
hmmmm.....seems way better than superman.....
xCOASTERFREAKx 7 months ago
@xCOASTERFREAKx Meh, apples to oranges. One was about speed and force, the other about a unique sensation. Went on both. Both were fun for different reasons.
TheWitchOvAgnesi 6 months ago
i wish arrow dynamics would come back somehow now, and bring back shockwave and great american scream machine, and find a way to make their trains not rough anymore
TheJedigir 7 months ago
0:40 sounds like cats hissing lol.
DJBenMalchow 7 months ago
Somebody died on this so they took it down, but who gives a shit superman is awesome!
ToastedxPoptart 7 months ago
@ToastedxPoptart nobody died on this... a lot of people got the shit beat out of them on this. Superman is a pansy little kid's ride compared to the Shockwave... don't get me wrong, Superman IS great, but it's missing the aura that the Shockwave had.. Shockwave was a world record holder when they built it, and it LOOKED evil. Even in the pretty blue paint. I miss is dearly and really wished somebody could have bought it and put it up at another park.
ProfessorIgor 6 months ago
this looks just like GASM in great adventure
swaqqkidd69 7 months ago
The ride can be summed up this way...incredibly intense first half with a very good first drop and very, very tight loops and a rough transition between the first and second loop. Incredible intensity but a bit rough. Then a brutal transition after the third loop into the mid course brakes. The second half of the ride was just a few headbanging inversions. But I've never been on anything that matches the intensity of the first half of this ride. By 2002, however, the ride was too rough.
lundegaard23 7 months ago
RIP Shockwave. My all-time favorite rollercoaster.
Konstuce 7 months ago
this brings back memories
williambynum07 7 months ago
who cares superman is awesome!
AWrevolution 7 months ago
no ragning bull is awsome!
benishot1000 7 months ago
@benishot1000 ikr, its my fav
AWrevolution 7 months ago
I DEMAND THEY BRING BACK THE SHOCKWAVE!
TaylorxMelina101 7 months ago
There is a ride that is almost identical to this at Six Flags Magic Mountain called Viper that is still open. I love Arrow Dynamic's rides (the manufacturer.) Unfortunately, Arrow went out of business in 2002, and it's designer (Ron Toomer) has been retired for over 12 years. But these were awesome rides.
coastercrutchfield 8 months ago
@coastercrutchfield It's "almost identical" except for the 2nd loop being right next to the chain lift, the mid ride chain break, the butterfly cork screw... lol the Viper is a completely different (much weaker) ride except for the first drop & loop. Here is the viper clip: youtube.com/watch?v=DNs8nJ-FSiM
bdoering2712 5 months ago
ughh i hate that they took this out i never went on it
asdfjkl884 8 months ago
@kampchick
are you really that stupid?
your the one complaining and your the ugly one?
hoixmap520 8 months ago
Im going on thursday
colo321 8 months ago
i am ten and i went on this
MrPopcorn9090 8 months ago
@MrPopcorn9090 Lol if you're only 10 now, you definitely didn't go on this.
h0ss88 6 months ago
I heard the ride had structure problems. Too many g's pulled in the first loop and created hairline fractured in the tracks that had to be continually repaired. And, the uneven transitions between the trim and the pretzel and corkscrew elements were hard on the trucks and wheels, the latter of which were constantly needing replacement. It was probably pretty expensive to maintain for a steel ride. It was fun. The viper at magic mountain and the great American scream machine in NJ were almost id
rickarkels 8 months ago
@rickarkels
Thanks for the info, I've learned so much from this ride from people. I even love watching it! Hearing me grunting from the G's...
DrunKENgatorFan 8 months ago
@DrunKENgatorFan Now we no what you sound like when you are taking a shit! Case In Point: GRUNTING
casinobowling 6 months ago
@rickarkels the great American scream machine in NJ was taken down, now green lantern is there
IFigureSk8te 7 months ago
@rickarkels it was an Arrow what do you expect? XD
frenchfrey65 7 months ago
@rickarkels great american scream machine and viper did not have every single issue shockwave did. GASM was taken down to make room for great adventures new green lantern coaster, and viper is pretty stable, and has no current problems other than being a bit rough. so it doesnt need to be taken down at all unlike its older sisters.
TheJedigir 6 months ago
I miss this roller coaster so much! I remember my last time on it...it was like me and three other people and it was amaaaazingg! Great ride! You are missed!
SamIAmCam 8 months ago
wtf they removed this awsome looking ride for superman ride its boring uhh i never even got to ride the shock wave DAMN!
wgarcia21able 8 months ago
I never got to ride the shock wave, man it looked awesome!
Luiey 8 months ago
PS I miss you Shockwave!!! And I hope your designer builds you again because you were a huge part of history....when you came to Great America, Gurnee, IL you were state of the art....TOP of the line....got everybody talking....people waited in line for over an hour..... Yeah..let's tear this pile of crap down, it sucks! Somebody HAD to have been smokin something man!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for this video.... Please tell us when you exactly took this video.
drumn91 8 months ago
Comment removed
coastercrutchfield 8 months ago
@drumn91
Sorry it took a week to get back to you. The video was shot around 2000, 2001. I went on a business trip and got a free day prior to the training! I always make good use of my time!! Hard to believe nobody else has a front seat video of this ride. I used my very FIRST pocket camera that came with video. My 340mb Micro Drive had to cover almost a week of photos and videos in Chicago!! Back then that was the shit!
DrunKENgatorFan 8 months ago
This was my favorite roller coaster EVER at Gurnee!! I heard that they literally tore it down and scrapped the metal!! Ridiculous!!
This thing spanked the Demon hardcore!!!
Taller!! Faster!! Longer!! Bigger Corkscrews!! Bigger Loops!! SCREW THE DEMON!!!!
The Demon sucks compared to this coaster and I will go to my grave wondering who the asshole was that decided THIS coaster is the one to go to the scrapyard AND WHY!!!! If roller coasters were living things....The Demon sat there laughing as th
drumn91 8 months ago
Shockwave > Superman that replaced it =/
DJBassFreQ 8 months ago
:( WHY did they get rid of this? i went there 3 days ago and this would have been fucking awesome :((((((
BigAirChicago22 8 months ago
This reminds me of the Great American Scream Machine.
:(
ToLiveFreely 8 months ago
I can't f**king believe that there wasn't a park that wanted to buy the Shockwave... this was a GREAT GRRRREEEAAAAAT !!! coaster, and I miss it BIG TIME :(
ProfessorIgor 8 months ago
This was my first roller coaster ride ever. Talk about easing your way into it. This thing was amazing. The speed, the rattles and most of all the G Forces. That first loop didnt matter who you were your head was going to be in your lap.
Autovomatic 8 months ago
i was only 11 and too short to ride this one...why couldnt i be 19 =(
DonAdnan123 8 months ago
guys stop talking about scream machine, this is shockwave not scream machine, go watch a scream machine vid
Blitzwing989 8 months ago
looks waaaaaaaaay better than superman
Blitzwing989 8 months ago
Since 2001, SFGAm has no multi looper. D':
DudeDie222 8 months ago
@DudeDie222 demon has 2 verti's and a double corkscrew... whatchoo talkin about ?
ProfessorIgor 8 months ago
@ProfessorIgor Multi loopers = 6+ loops.
DudeDie222 8 months ago
That looks so much better then superman...
ryananderson110 8 months ago
Well I got to experience the ride through this guys pov. I didn't get to ride it and the year I was able to they shut it down then the following year it was gone. Thanks guys for this video
Lmac510 8 months ago
yellow chompers
apsscinc 8 months ago
It would be great if B&M recreated this coaster. Since people were always saying how rough this one was and B&M are known for their smooth rides.
rch1jr 8 months ago
this looks just like viper at magic mountain
TheLegoKiller 8 months ago
i wish it were still there:(
TheMrBito 9 months ago
Me an my mom used to get on this ride all the time it would bang your head left to right we would always have a headache after getting off this ride
hellobaby187 9 months ago
This is just a stand up version of the scream machine
sammarcus565 9 months ago
@sammarcus565 Wrong. Its the exact same thing as the Scream Machine, only blue.
woohoodude11 9 months ago
what ride is this
mrjayrock5 9 months ago
When was this filmed?
ThatsTommy 9 months ago
I never rode the Shockwave. I've been to Great America only a couple of times (I'm a Pittsburgh chick). But I heard that thing used to beat the hell out of riders. That and a lot of coaster enthusiasts (me included) don't like wearing the harnasses. We call 'em horse collars.
Multi element loopers are out of style now. That's one reason why Kennywood took the loops out of the Steel Phantom and renamed it the Phantom's Revenge.
BassPlayerSusan 9 months ago
I really miss this thing :(
ProfessorIgor 9 months ago
I remember going on this b4
GTvlogOFFICIAL 9 months ago
only onride video left :( thanks for sharing :)
YourLockerzPal 9 months ago 7
@YourLockerzPal
I think you are right. I've never found another video from on this ride. That's special. I took this around 2000 or 2001, just after i got my first digital camera. Had my big 340MB Microdrives!!
DrunKENgatorFan 9 months ago 4
@DrunKENgatorFan Thats soo sweet man! Thanks for sharing anyways, without this vid i would of NEVER experienced this ride!
YourLockerzPal 9 months ago
@DrunKENgatorFan Awesome man! thanks for sharing, this was the first ride i ever went on when i was a kid, now thanks to you, im here showing my daughter how fun her first coaster ride is going to be next week
MrTheTuss 8 months ago
@MrTheTuss
Hey You are welcome! HAVE FUN! That's going to be a special time for you! and your daughter....
DrunKENgatorFan 8 months ago
My mom went on this a long time ago
cantbackdown123 10 months ago
when they took the shockwave out they put superman ultimate flight. am i right??
hsmlucasfan 10 months ago
@hsmlucasfan Yep you right. one of the mistakes of Six Flags. RIP SHOCKWAVE. tear drop out my left eye.
jason63433 10 months ago
Oh, fooey. Your teeth look fine. They just need whitener. So do most people's. Thank you for the very well-recorded nostalgia trip! I miss living out there.
LouisLambert 10 months ago
That's Where the Superman Is Now... am I Right?
HockeyBoy92101 10 months ago
i thought shockwave was in drayton manor? the origional one is :)
spursfan112 10 months ago
@spursfan112 totally different coaster, same name. The one at Drayton Manor is a stand up coaster, and it's still there, unlike this one :(
MaDDoGDooM 10 months ago
@MaDDoGDooM ahh i see, america has the best theme parks! :) sucks 4 us!
spursfan112 10 months ago
RIP SHOCHWAVE you will be missed
eastcedarlake219 11 months ago
@kampchick
THE BOY WHO IS WRITING THAT COMMENT NEEDS TO LEARN ENGLISH. HOW DUMB ARE YOU?
DrunKENgatorFan 11 months ago 20
i wish i got to ride it :(
SixFlagsGeek 11 months ago
i want to go on it but i was 5 or 6 years old when they took it down so i couldnt go on it
hannahbiggestfan1 11 months ago
Why did they take it down? It was a great ride
comedypickle 11 months ago
@comedypickle My Science teacher last year told me that it was an unsafe ride because of how many G-Forces it had. Doesn't that statement in and of itself make you cry that you didn't get to ride it. I'm going to go cry now.
WebDevFTW 10 months ago
I remember back in the day no one else would ride this coaster and we would be able to stay on without having to get back into line. This has to be one of my all time favorite coasters. I think my neck hurts though.
rocantr 11 months ago
The beginning scared the SHIT out of me! XD
Tiduszcoasters 11 months ago
It's almost Viper, it's similar to Viper, just in fast forward. I can see why you grunting on the loops.
LILCHRIS5X 11 months ago
WHY DID THEY CLOSE IT!!!!! I WOULD GO ON THIS A TON OF TIME IF IT WAS STILL OPEN!!!!! :(
SoftballCB23 1 year ago
Comment removed
SixFlagsGeek 1 year ago
I'm surprised the ride ops didn't YELL at you for that. Having a camera on their ride.
RocketRodder 1 year ago
Never mind they tore it down for super man, dammit six flags!
KoasterKing1226 1 year ago
Its an exact copy of scream machine, its kinda good for me cause now I know that scream machin is still out there, just in differnt colors. Now I want to go to great america
KoasterKing1226 1 year ago
my favorite coaster at SFGA. so mad they tore it down
dannyxt 1 year ago
Great vid!
Man, those two almost 90 degree turns would bruise the hell out of you!
Would love it if you had the Turn of the Century video (camera would be about 10 pounds back then, but still... :)
cmh132 1 year ago
Great vid!
Man, those two almost 90 degree turns would bruis the hell out of you!
cmh132 1 year ago
Sounds like Captain Falcons orgasm
SuttonBluenose2 1 year ago
It is sooooo Sad, they tore this ride down for Superman. They should had kept this one. Damn! Wrong move..
jason63433 1 year ago
this is just like great american scram machine here in sfga it got torn down but gasm had alot of gforce n it was rough
NTylerN 1 year ago
i still find it funny, that when Shockwave opened it was the tallest roller coaster, kind of a big deal, and they gave it no landscaping or theming, they just put it in the parking lot.
Tamadrummer1981 1 year ago
I miss this coaster. Shockwave and Hades (Wisconsin Dells) are my two favorites.
chewser117 1 year ago