Welcome to Part 2 of a four-part mini-series looking at the four new ride concepts unveiled by Intamin Amusement Rides during the last week. In Part 1, I took a look at the single rail, Hot Racer concepts and argued why Intamin’s announcement are more promising than the “rip off” many are claiming them to be. Be sure to give that a read when you’re finished with this. Now, let’s take a look at the second concept, the Vertical LSM Coaster.
Those two YouTube comments pretty much sum up the majority of the reaction that I’ve seen for Intamin’s Vertical LSM Coaster thus far. While it would be dismissive of me to act like there are not some similarities, it would also be wrong of me to flat out agree and claim this model is nothing more than a Sky Rocket II copy. Let’s take a closer look.
The Premier Rides Sky Rocket II model features a small footprint, multiple forward and backward launch cycles, one train operations, a smaller price tag (I assume) than the company’s other offerings, and could be cloned at multiple places around the world. Are all those traits exclusive to Premier Rides? Nope. Were they the first to do those things? Nope.
Coasters of all makes and models have been created to exist in small footprints since the beginning of the industry, even when it comes to thrill and/or extreme coasters. I’m sure you’ve heard of a Vekoma Boomerang? Now, I’m not saying a Boomerang is visually or structurally similar to the Sky Rocket II. I’m just talking about footprint here. When Vekoma introduced the model, it took the industry by storm. I, myself, have more than a dozen Boomerangs on my credit list between the various versions (standard, inverted, and giant).
Let’s now take a look at the forward and backward launch cycles. The Sky Rocket II shoots you forward, then backward, and then forward again to complete the ride cycle. You know what other coaster does a forward, backward, and forward launch? Intamin’s Impulse Coasters, which have been built since 1998. While a shuttle coaster, and again, obviously not similar in layout, the multi-launch aspect, going forward and backwards, is not unique.
One train operations. Do I really need to go into detail and defend this? And no, I’m not going to compare the Sky Rocket II to Ride of Steel at Six Flags Darien Lake (SFDL) and their one train ops. Okay, all kidding aside, the models I’ve already touched upon all feature this trait.
It’s safe to assume that the Vertical LSM Coaster will feature a smaller price tag than some of their other model types. This is an attractive thing to parks on a budget, or a chain like Six Flags, who likes make annual additions throughout all their parks. We’ve all seen the influx of the 4D Free Spins over the last few years, haven’t we? And now that I mention that, where were the pitchforks for S&S Sansei when they introduced that model? Intamin had already created the Zac Spin eight years prior? You know, a model very similar, although not exactly the same? Sorta like Intamin’s Vertical LSM Coaster and Premier’s Sky Rocket II?
Cloning. A dirty word to some, coasters have been cloned for decades. Boomerangs, Vekoma SLC’s, Bolliger & Mabillard’s (B&M) Batman clones, the Zac Spins, the Sky Rocket II’s… the list goes on. This has been done and will keep being done for years to come. Let’s move on.
So what is this hate for this ride concept really about? What I think it boils down to is that Intamin, instead of coming up with something 100 percent new, is doing what sells in the industry right now. Intamin is known for taking chances. They have more than a dozen coaster model variations listed on the Roller Coaster Database (RCDB) and have 19 different coaster types listed under the category of “Other” on the site as well. It goes without saying, they’re easily one of the most innovative companies the coaster industry has ever seen.
It’s 2020, however. A lot of parks have been and continue to be hurt by the Coronavirus. Some haven’t, and won’t, open at all this year. Budgets are not going to be as fruitful in the years to come, so it’s wise that Intamin offers some options moving forward. I don’t blame them at all, if that is the reasoning behind these new models. If one of these parks wants Intamin to come in and build a giga coaster, they can. If that’s not in the cards due to space or budget restrictions, this new Vertical LSM Coaster is now an option too. I say kudos to Intamin for adding something else to their already massive portfolio.
In closing, is the Vertical LSM Coaster similar to the Sky Rocket II? It sure is. Does it feature the same exact track layout and inversions? Nope. As a matter of fact, they’re advertising an inverted launch, a first for the industry. So even when they’re “copying” someone else as many have put it, they’re doing something no one else ever has. That’s Intamin doing what it always has, trying to distinguish themselves. Because of that, I look forward to giving one of these a try. And if you’re interested as well…
You can be my wingman anytime! (Top Gun, 1986)
Patrick
Be on the lookout for “Intamin or Imitiation? Pt. 3: Ultra Splash” in the coming days.
