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 tracks) to load simultaneously. When the signal to launch is given, the train rolls back slightly to engage the catch car, and the brakes on the launch track begin to retract. As the brake fins are retracting, a voice recording announces, "Arms down, head back, hold on!" Approximately five seconds later, the launch occurs. Kingda Ka's horn previously sounded before each launch, but it was silenced due to noise complaints from nearby residents; the horn now sounds only when Kingda Ka first launches after being idle for some time. When the train is in position, the hydraulic launch mechanism accelerates