I don’t think everyone likes roller coasters. But I do think everyone gets a thrill from them. It’s exciting climbing to the top (waiting in anticipation), it’s crazy plummeting from the peak (and around the track), and if you’re stupid enough to go on one with huge banks and loops, it’s dizzying and nausea-inducing. But again, like I said, it’s thrilling. Better than a cup of coffee, and exactly what the doctor ordered if you need a “I’m actually alive” reminder.

But, even at their best, roller coasters are hard to get too. For most people, the closest amusement park can be an hour drive or more. Once you get there (especially if you go there on a nice weekend day), you have to contend with (i.e. fight with) tons of other people – you have to wait on line for tickets, wait on line for food, and then wait on line for the actual ride. All the while, you’re shelling out lots of money and losing patience for all the screaming kids. It’s a decent trip if you’re into it, but more than often, it’s not worth the hassle.

Now if you could just capture the thrill of the roller coaster, and make it more accessible (and more pleasant), that would be great, right? Like watching the football game in High Def without actually having to push yourself into the stadium? Sounds good to me.

Well now you can… that’s where the buzzball comes in. It’s a new product from some whacked-out dudes in New Zealand (a company called Evento). The idea is that you sit in a chair in the middle of a big plastic ball. You hold triggers in both hands, which control driving wheels on both sides of the ball (which again, you’re sitting in the middle of). Then, you roll the ball around a field, and your chair rotates around in the middle of it (according to your control). You can just tool around, or you can create a sweet ride; take yourself on wicked banks, and super loop-de-loops. In effect, you can create your own roller coaster ride… right in your back yard. No long lines. No screaming kids. Just adrenaline and fun.

This is cool, no doubt. But questions still abound. Like… what happens if you roll this baby down a hill? And a follow-up question… this thing got any brakes? And another follow up question… no? Well then, does it come with a life-insurance policy?

Maybe these questions will be answered when this gadget actually comes out (and is available to the public). In the meantime though, you can go check it out at: http://www.buzzball.net/buzzball and form your own.