The 2014 Theme Park Insider Tournament: Nemesis vs. Blue Fire

March 17, 2014, 10:13 AM · Welcome to the second round of the 2014 Theme Park Insider Tournament, where we're honoring the world's best theme park attractions outside the United States. We started with eight dark rides and eight roller coasters most highly recommended by Theme Park Insider readers in our theme park reader ratings. After the first-round voting, we're left with four competitors in each bracket. We'll run two semifinals today, and two tomorrow, before running the bracket finals late Thursday.

Our first vote today is in the roller coaster bracket, as we offer Alton Towers' Nemesis versus Europa Park's Blue Fire.

In the first round, Nemesis defeated Port Aventura's Shambhala, and Blue Fire defeated its park sibling Silver Star. To refresh your memories, follow those links for full descriptions, or just take this excuse for work-day time-killing and watch the on-ride videos again:

Nemesis

Blue Fire

Which one would you rather ride? Let's vote!


Later today, we'll switch to the dark ride bracket, with Hong Kong Disneyland's Mystic Manor versus Efteling's Droomvlucht.

Replies (4)

March 17, 2014 at 10:55 AM · I know Nemesis has a lot of fans, but Blue Fire looks like the better, more unique, more immersive experience. Besides, there is nothing like a good launch coaster to get your day started. Blue Fire would be my first stop if my local park had both of these coasters.
March 17, 2014 at 2:53 PM · I have to agree with James Rao, Blue Fire is a MUCH more unique and immersive experience. I've ridden both, and other than some nice rockwork, Nemesis has no unique attributes from any other B&M inverted coaster. If you've already ridden a B&M invert, Nemesis offers no mystery or surprise.
March 17, 2014 at 4:02 PM · I've ridden numerous B&M inverts and Nemesis stands in a league of its own - it has a unique layout and the setting creates a whole extra level of experience.

I've ridden taller, faster and more extreme coasters, but Nemesis remains head and shoulders above all of them in terms of a total, coherent, thrilling and above all unique ride.

(You see James - the natural order is restored - we're disagreeing again!)

March 17, 2014 at 7:18 PM · David, this time I don't have a leg to stand on at all. Just going by looks since I have not ridden either ride. Blue Fire looks more interesting, but since you have ridden both and I have not, you must be correct.

Therefore, by virtue of my lack of knowledge, we agree again.

The universe is teetering on the edge of annihilation!

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