Kingda Ka vs Top Thrill 2

Vintage is the reversed stat — the older ride wins. Every number here is the same one printed on the card; see /methodology for how Build Cost and Throughput are sourced.

The verdict

Kingda Ka sweeps every comparable stat. There is no line on the card where Top Thrill 2 is the better pick, so the only way this duel turns is on who calls the stat.

Kingda Ka is a steel Accelerator Coaster (hydraulic launch) coaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, US, built by Intamin. Top Thrill 2 is a steel Lightning (LSM triple-launch strata) coaster at Cedar Point, US, built by Zamperla.

Both are in US, which puts them in the same conversation for anyone planning a trip there.

Both are steel-track, so nothing here is the usual steel-versus-wood argument in disguise.

Stat by stat

• Height goes to Kingda Ka at 456 ft against 420 ft — clearly ahead.
• Speed goes to Kingda Ka at 128 mph against 120 mph — clearly ahead.
• Inversions splits them not at all: both read 0.
• Throughput goes to Kingda Ka at 1,400 rph against 950 rph — a long way clear.
• Build Cost splits them not at all: both read 25 $m.
• 19 years separate them, and because Vintage rewards age it is Kingda Ka (2005) that banks the point, not Top Thrill 2 (2024).