Coaster reviews

Theming Intensity Too short

Nemesis Reborn is as solid an Invert as I've ever seen. But what really elevates it above all else is it's theming and marketing. Alton Towers spent the best part of a year and a half marketing the eventual return of the beast with an overarching plot and the reopening of Nemesis Sub-Terra. It all built up to this rollercoaster, which features impressive set pieces, and a lovely track layout which I found to be smooth. I only wish it lasted a little longer, as it's pretty short from first drop to brake run.

Inversions Masterpiece Layout

I have never been more fascinated by any rollercoaster in my life than The Smiler. I've been following the ups and downs of this ride's history for over a decade. I first got to ride this mental coaster in November 2022 and I loved it! I've been on it countless times since. It's easy to become lost in the theme of marmalization as this ride does everything possible to disorientate you and render you brain-dead, true to its backstory and setting as an experiment run by the Ministry of Joy to make people stop worrying and smile always, using various sinister tactics. The queue alone is enough to marmalize you, with madness-inducing music and a room filled with hypnotic patterns and strobe lighting. The Smiler rolls into its first of a record-breaking fourteen inversions before even reaching the first lift hill. The ride features a much-needed halfway break before climbing a vertical lift hill and rolling into the second half of inversion insanity. This infinity coaster made by German company Gerstlauer was built and marketed superbly and The Smiler is definitely my favourite of all the rollercoasters I've been on because I became so lost within the ride's story that I just forgot about the real world. Considering that Alton Towers don't have the advantage of well-known Intellectual Property for their rides like Disney and Universal do, the Towers team did a great job creating an original story for this ride that feels like it extends beyond the ride's caged walls. And once you've been on this coaster, you belong to The Smiler. Bring back the lore, give it the Nemesis Reborn treatment 🙏