Top Thrill Dragster the world overtaking both world records from Steel Dragon 2000 at Nagashima Spa Land that was just built three years earlier. It lost the title of being the world's tallest and fastest roller coaster when Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure opened in May 2005. Intamin designed both Kingda Ka and Top Thrill Dragster, and the two share a similar design and layout that differs primarily by the theme and the additional hill featured on Kingda Ka. The ride had constant downtime in its first couple seasons. Several problems such as the ride's hydraulic system and launch cable caused
Kingda Ka brake fins in the launch section keep fast-moving trains from returning all the way back to the station during failed attempts to complete the tophat element. The incident caused an unexpected stress on a number of fins, bending them forward. Not all required replacement, but there were more damaged brake fins than Six Flags had replacements for. Extra brake fins had to be ordered from the manufacturer, Intamin in Switzerland, and the ride had to undergo thorough testing following the repair. Kingda Ka reopened on August 4. Kingda Ka was struck by lightning in May 2009 and suffered serious damage.