Top 10 Roller Coasters

Since the world's first full-circuit roller coaster opened 125 years ago at Coney Island, New York, on Jan. 20, 1885, the rides have gotten much faster — and heart-in-your-throat scarier

Kingda Ka

rollercoaster kingda ka

Stan Honda / AFP / Getty
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When this ride opened at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J., in May 2005, it wrested the title of tallest and fastest roller coaster from the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point. Kingda Ka reaches a height of 456 ft. (139 m), has a death-defying incline of 418 ft. (127 m) and, from a stationary position, can reach a speed of 128 m.p.h. in 3.5 seconds. To put that in perspective, it reaches 128 m.p.h. in the time it took you to read the words can reach a speed of 128 m.p.h. in 3.5 seconds. The entire ride takes just 59 seconds — what you do with the remaining second of the most exciting minute of your life is up to you.

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