Nemesis Inferno opened in 2003, being promoted as "The World's Greatest Ride Experience" - the sister coaster of Alton Towers' famous Nemesis. Whilst the ride is probably not the world's greatest ride experience, it could easily claim to be Thorpe Park's...
Inferno is a Bolliger & Mabillard inverted coaster, situated in and around a huge volcano. For our money, B&M are the classiest manufacturers around - the Mercedes Benz of the coaster world, if you will. B&M coasters are reliable, smooth, and great fun to ride - and Nemesis Inferno is no exception.
The station is situated in the middle of the volcano. The train leaves the station, and accelerates down to the right. Riders then enter the depths of the volcano, rushing through special effects such as dry ice and red lighting to simulate the smoke and heat. This first section acts as a gentle introduction to the main ride. At the top of the lift hill, the train shuttles around down to the left, and hits the vertical loop. A water cannon goes off just as the train exits the loop, and riders enter a zero-g roll. Next, the train shuttles into the two interlocking corkscrews, with the on-ride photo being taken after the second. Riders lastly enter a small upward helix before coming to a stop outside the station.
The lush tropical trees and plants in the area complement the volcano theme, and the coaster plays to it well, occasionally getting excitingly close to the foliage. The music is also spot on, serving to create a magical atmosphere in the station, particularly as each train departs (the thumping base is certainly memorable). The centrepiece to the ride, the volcano, is quite a landmark (although viewed from behind it looks disappointingly like a tin shed...), and the themeing goes right down to the mosaic bark placed on the ground.
The Nemesis brand, created for Alton Towers new coaster in 1994, was so strong that Thorpe capitalised on it for this coaster. In some ways this is unfortunate as comparisons between the two become inevitable. "Is it as good as Nemesis at Alton Towers?" is a question often asked. The general consensus is that Alton's Nemesis is the more extreme of the two, and the landscaping around Nemesis gives it a certain edge. Indeed, Alton's ride still features in worldwide "top 10"s, so to beat it would be a tough ask.
Nemesis Inferno is a brilliant ride experience. It ticks almost every box, and was a great investment for the Park in 2003. Whereas other Thorpe coasters divide guest opinion, Nemesis Inferno is almost universally liked. It's a 5 star must-ride.
"I went on this twice and it is bloody awesome. I loved the upside down bits the best and it was my first Thorpe Park ride. BRILL!"
Bradley, Chalfont St Giles, UK.
"My favourite ride in the park! This ride had great station music, and had a smooth but fast feel to it. The first suspended coaster I actually enjoyed!"
Sasha, Russia.
"Went on this today and it was amazing! I was petrified at first to try it (as I am terrified of all roller coasters) but in the end loved it and went on 4 times."
Tash, Bromley, UK.
"This one of my favourite rides. It's a good thrilling ride, so whoever likes/loves rollercoasters this comes recommended. I also love the theme music!"
Daniel, Essex, UK.
"ALWAYS the first ride I go on when I arrive at the amazing THORPE PARK, I'm a coaster junkie and even though it may not be as extreme as Stealth, it's my fave and I don't leave the Park without a second or third go!"
Sarah, London, UK.
"I was coaxed onto this ride, and I was just TOTALLY BLOWN AWAY - I was left very giddy! For me it's fast, smooth and very well made and you just feel totally safe and secure... this is a must do ride to face your fears!"
J Merchant, East Sussex, UK.
"It's a good ride but not as good as Nemesis. The original's more intense and better themed. Nemesis Inferno isn't as G-force pulling or near to death experience. NEMESIS ROCKS!!"
C Moncrieff, West Lothian, UK.
"Very good. Ace G-force and it was my first Roller Coaster that tossed me around!"
Tommy Murray, Bracknell, UK.
"WOW! This has got to be the smoothest coaster I have ever been on! Even though it does not quite match up to the standards set by Nemesis at Alton, it is still fast and furious and is a nice coaster to try before trying something ULTRA extreme like Stealth or Saw. Only bad thing is that the soundtrack whilst waiting in the queue is really annoying and after 40 mins of it blaring in your ear, you just want to get away from it and onto the ride! Totally awesome though!"
Charliy V, Sutton, UK.
"Awesome ride. The one at Alton Towers is slightly better but this is still an awesome and very thrilling ride."
Oliver Arthurs, UK.
"I queued for over an hour to get onto this ride and by the time I was on it I chickened out because I was so scared! But luckily, they let me on without me having to re-queue. It was BY FAR the best ride I have ever been on. Well, apart from Slammer and Zodiac! 10/10."
Caroline, London, UK.
"I love Nemesis Inferno, it's an amazing ride - you have to go on it when you go to Thorpe Park! Personally I find it better than Stealth and rides like that!"
Andy, Bracknell, UK.
"This Coaster is a good little number, but will ever beat the original Nemesis. Like in movies, the sequels are never any good."
Matt, Staffordshire, UK.
"A great ride. Great scenery, fun mist effects, and an all round great ride. Smooth too."
Robert, Hertford, UK.
"I was extremely hesitant to go on this ride at first, but when my Mum coaxed me on, I was so relieved that I didn't chicken out. The first real coaster of my life, it really is a great experience. I couldn't lift up my head at the bottom of the loop, and I thought the seats were more comfortable than a leather sofa!!"
Charlie D, Corsham, UK.
"I was not scared at all when I went on, but it was really really fun! It was the volcano bit that was the coolest! One of the best rides there!!"
Will, Calne, UK.
"Have to say this ride is awesome, no it's not as good as Nemesis at Alton Towers 'cause I think Nemesis has better surroundings, built into that canyon and swooping around just missing the scenery. Inferno feels more open than Nemesis but has a better 1st drop, a higher G-Force so whoever said Nemesis was more intense physically is talking nonsense! Nemesis is better visually because of the near misses with the rocks etc... but Inferno has some intense twists and turns and is more compact! Much smoother and more comfortable than Colossus and one of my favourite rides in the UK."
Adam K, Upminster, UK.
"Love it! It's so smooth, but it's fast too."
Taylor Depauw, Iowa, USA.
"This is the best ride at Thorpe Park!! You go on it once and you can't stop! Love it!!"
Ami, Poole, UK.
"When I first went on Nemesis Inferno I was really scared, especially when you go into the cave, but I found it really fun to go on."
Peter Royal, London, UK.
"I actually found it quite bumpy, though it didn't help that my restraint wasn't tight enough and I was thrown around in the inversions!"
Marcus, London, UK.
"I sort of like this ride. It was comfy, well laid out, and well themed. The only problem I have is the fact that it's not that scary..."
Dominic, London, UK.
"I love this ride so much! Every time I go to Thorpe Park I make it a priority to go on this ride, it's awesome!"
Darell, Croydon, UK.
"This was FANTASTIC! It's so smooth and nice. However, it's also scary. It has everything!"
George, Middlesex, UK.
"Fantastic! Smooth, fast and crazy! Plus, since the 2011 season all the effects are working again!!"
Matt, London, UK.
"I really loved this ride as a start before I went on Stealth and SAW. It's not scary and DO NOT chicken out on it! The ride is smooth and comfy and you will love the volcano... :) But, it's not as good as Alton Towers' Nemesis. Overall a great "start of the day' coaster or a good one for your first proper coaster. "
Taylor, London, UK.
"I love this ride so much, but it's over so quickly! If it was longer then it would be amazing!!"
Sophie, Surrey, UK.
"This was my favourite ride at Thorpe Park because it was exceptionly smooth and thrilling. I recommend it to everyone. Loved it!"
Josh, Portsmouth, UK.
"I loved this ride. I had never been on an upside down roller coaster before, so I was really scared, but when I did get on I loved it. It wasn't scary at all, just really fun :)"
Sophie, UK.
