The ride
Maxx Force is a steel launched roller coaster built by S&S – Sansei Technologies on its Compressed Air Launch platform at Six Flags Great America in Carousel Plaza, Illinois, having opened to the public in 2019. After 7 seasons of operation it remains one of the defining attractions on the Six Flags Great America midway, drawing repeat riders who track every subtle change to its trains, restraints and station soundtrack.
On paper the ride is a serious thrill machine. It climbs 175 ft above the park before pitching forward into its first descent. Trains reach a top speed of 78.0 mph before the first turnaround, where the layout opens up into a sequence of lateral and vertical elements. In total the track stretches 180 ft, giving the experience a distinctly long-form feel rather than the punchy one-and-done character of many modern compact coasters. The layout includes 4 inversions, which is a notable count for any modern installation and a defining part of how the ride photographs from the queue. enthusiast trip-planning resources
Coasters from S&S – Sansei Technologies have a recognizable signature in track shaping, train design and the way transitions are paced. Riders familiar with other S&S – Sansei Technologies installations will pick up on the same DNA in Maxx Force's layout, particularly through its station design and the sound profile of the running gear. As a Compressed Air Launch, it sits within a recognizable family of attractions and benefits from years of refinement applied to similar installations elsewhere.
Plan to ride Maxx Force early in the day or during the final hour before park close, when standby waits at Six Flags Great America typically drop. Because top speeds exceed 60 mph, secure loose articles before queuing — phones, hats and sunglasses are best left in a locker or zipped pocket. If sensitivity to inversions is a concern, request a back-row seat where the transitions feel smoother and the forces are distributed more evenly. Single-rider lines and early-entry ticketing programs, when available at Six Flags Great America, are usually the fastest ways to get repeat rides on a busy day. broader coaster community archives
In CoasterVault's ranking tables, Maxx Force currently appears in our 21st position for fastest coasters, 53rd position for tallest coasters, 62nd position for most inversions lists, reflecting where its core stats place it among operating coasters in the United States. These rankings move whenever a new installation opens, so the position should be read as a snapshot rather than a permanent record.