Shifting Sands Stage
- Not to be confused with Shifting Sands, a course in Mario Golf: Toadtsool Tour, or Shifting Sand Land, a level in Super Mario 64.
| Shifting Sands Stage | |
|---|---|
 A view of Shifting Sands Stage from the Sky Cannon | |
| General information | |
| Points of interest | Pyramid |
| Terrain | Desert |
| Inhabitants | Pokeys Lakitus Spikeys Kleptos Snakes Shy Guys 1-up Mole |
| Boss | Egyptian Koopa |
| Appearances | |
| First appearance | Mario Pinball Land (2004) |
- “What mystery lies deep within this sun-scorched desert?”
- —Mario Pinball Land instruction manual
The Shifting Sands Stage[1] is a world in Mario Pinball Land. The stage is composed of a desert containing cacti and ruins, and it is surrounded by hills and palm trees. In this stage, Mario encounters Pokeys, Lakitus, Spinies, and Kleptos. The boss of the stage is the Egyptian Koopa, found inside a buried pyramid, where Snakes and Shy Guys can also be found.
Areas
NOTE: Unless otherwise marked, all names are unofficial.
Starting area
The starting area in the Shifting Sands Stage features a pair of two-segment-tall Pokeys, a cactus, and a ? Block that is replaced by a Sky Cannon once the Egyptian Koopa is defeated. Defeating both Pokeys yields the player a Star. After the Egyptian Koopa is defeated, a Lakitu can be found in this area, throwing a single Spiny at a time.
Pokey area
The Pokey area is accessible via the 1-★ door in the starting area. This area features four cacti, a 1-up Mole, and a pair of four-segment-tall Pokeys. Hitting the 1-up Mole in all four positions rewards the player with a 1-UP Mushroom, and defeating both Pokeys yields the player a Star.
Lakitu area
The Lakitu area is accessible via the 4-★ door in the starting area. This area features a single ? Block and a Lakitu that continuously throws Spinies in the area, up to four. Clearing the area of Spinies yields the player a Star. The Egg Mark is found in this area.
Buried pyramid area
The buried pyramid area is accessible via the 2-★ door in the starting area. This area features two Sphinxes, one on each upper corner, and four Kleptos circling around a large buried pyramid. Hitting the Sphinxes a total of four times in quick succession unearths the pyramid, allowing Mario inside. Defeating all four Kleptos yields the player a Star.
Pyramid entrance room
The first room inside the pyramid features three floor panels. Pressing either the left or the right panel, as indicated by the arrows on the floor, reveals a passage to the left or right Shy Guy area, respectively. Pressing the middle panel causes eight Snakes to appear from the jars in the corner of the room. Defeating all Snakes before any escape through the vent in the center yields the player a Star. The player can go through the vent as Mini Mario.
Snake room
By using a Mini Mushroom item, Mario is able to go through the vent in the pyramid entrance room, accessing the Snake room. The room is a circular pit where Snakes appear one by one, up to a total of six at a time. Also in the room is a ? Block with Lightning. In total, 32 Snakes appear in the room, and defeating them all yields the player a Star.
Left Shy Guy room
The left Shy Guy room is accessible through the left passage in the pyramid entrance area. This room features five pillars and two floor panels. Pressing the right panel reveals a passage to the Egyptian Koopa room. Pressing the left panel causes three Shy Guys to appear behind the pillars, after which the Shy Guys take turns moving around them. Defeating all three Shy Guys yields the player a Star. Occasionally, one of Toad's tents is located in this room.
Right Shy Guy room
The right Shy Guy room is accessible through the right passage in the pyramid entrance area. This room features a central pillar and two floor panels. Pressing the left panel reveals a passage to the Egyptian Koopa room. Pressing the right panel causes four Shy Guys to appear from behind the pillar. Defeating all four Shy Guys yields the player a Star. Occasionally, one of Toad's tents is located in this room.
Egyptian Koopa room
At the bottom of the pyramid is the Egyptian Koopa room, accessible through both of the Shy Guy rooms above it. The room contains two enchanted obelisks and a large statue of the Egyptian Koopa at the center. Pressing the panel in front of the statue causes it to come to life and begin attacking Mario. After the boss is defeated, two blocks appear in the room, and after Mario brings the Star Key to the Fiery Stage, a Red Switch appears at the center of the room, where the Egyptian Koopa stood.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 砂漠ステージ Sabaku Sutēji |
Desert Stage |
References
- ^ Mario Pinball Land instruction booklet, page 21
