Built by Liechtensteiner manufacturer Intamin, the hypercoaster opened to the public as Superman – Ride of Steel in 2000.

In accordance with the theme change, the coaster's track and supports were repainted with a purple and dark blue color scheme, and other special effects were added.

A virtual reality feature was added the same year, which created an optional 3D experience for passengers, but was removed prior to the 2017 season.

Superman The Ride has been well received, consistently holding a high ranking among steel roller coasters in the annual Golden Ticket Awards published by Amusement Today.

[2][3] A year before the Speedway's demolition, Six Flags had worked with Swiss manufacturer Intamin to build and design the ride.

[2] The ride officially opened on May 5, 2000 as the tallest and longest roller coaster on the East Coast of the United States.

Six Flags had to work with the Zoning Board of Appeals to file a permit for the new effects because the ride sits on the Connecticut River floodplain.

[8] Although no changes were made to the track layout, a new theme highlighting Superman's evil clone, Bizarro, was added.

The track was repainted purple with dark blue supports, and multiple special effects were added; including building structures that give riders the impression of speeding through a city, rings in the shape of Bizarro's S shield that the train passes through, and flame effects.

Riders have the option of wearing a Samsung Gear VR headset, powered by Oculus to create a 360-degree, 3D experience while riding.

[4][19] Upon reopening following the change, a recording of various film quotes played while the train was in motion, ending with a loop of Bizarro and several other people chanting his name.

In 2009, after the re-theme to Bizarro, the track was repainted purple while the supports were painted a darker shade of blue.

[24] The victim's family claimed that due to his various medical conditions, such as cerebral palsy, he shouldn't have been allowed to ride.

After the 2001 incident, the PVC airlines were replaced with steel reinforced air hoses to prevent a similar accident from occurring.

[23] After the 2004 incident, metal bars were installed on both sides of the "T-bar" restraint, encasing the rider's legs.

[26] Superman The Ride, along with Millennium Force, have held the top two spots in the Golden Ticket Awards poll every year from 2001 to 2015.