The first Impulse roller coaster appeared in Japan, and the ride type has since evolved to include four specific layouts, three of these varieties being built in the United States.

It headed backward through the launch section and station and into another vertical tower of track, this time facing the ground.

Built in 2000, it was the first Intamin Impulse roller coaster to feature a vertical twist and a holding brake on the rear tower.

However, Wicked Twister built in 2002 at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, did away with the straight section containing the holding brake and instead had a second twisting tower, however this coaster permanently closed in 2021.

It operated under that name until the end of Geauga Lake's 2006 season and then was moved to Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

However, in 2021, Chongqing Sunac Land in China opened Legendary Twin Dragon, stealing Wicked Twister’s record as the tallest Impulse Coaster in the world at 230 ft.