Sandbar
| Sandbar | |
|---|---|
 Sprite from Super Mario World | |
| First appearance | Super Mario World (1990) |
| Latest appearance | Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 (2001) |
| Variant of | Shifting wall |
Sandbars[1] also referred to as sand tides,[2] are objects that act as both obstacles and platforms in Super Mario World. They are rectangular sand structures with distinct triangular shapes on their top that vary in roles, being commonly used as rising/descending platforms that can help the player reach some objects, but most of the time can crush them to death similar to Shifting walls or sometimes block their path, causing the moving screen to kill them. They first appear in Donut Plains 2 and reappear in Vanilla Dome 1, Chocolate Secret and Valley of Bowser 2, serving as the primary obstacle in all four levels.
In Donut Plains 2, rising and descending sandbars appear throughout the level. Mario must stand on a rising sandbar to reach the first Dragon Coin without getting crushed by the ceiling. In the second section of the level, a large sandbar appears on a narrow passage filled with Buzzy Beetles. To get access to the area containing the level's secret exit, Mario must use a sandbar to reach a pipe that leads to it.
In Vanilla Dome 1, a large sandbar appears above a lake of lava near the Midway Gate of the level. Once touched, it begins sinking into the lava, forcing the player to sprint across it to reach the pipe before it completely submerges.
Chocolate Secret features the same sandbars as Vanilla Dome 2 near the end of the level. This time, however, they are much smaller and come in different shapes.
Valley of Bowser 2 introduces two distinct variants: The first consists of two large parallel sandbars with a narrow central passage where Mario can stand. These sandbars slowly rise and descend together, requiring the player to navigate the tight passage while avoiding being crushed by the maze-like terrain. The second variant appears near the end of the level and activates upon being stepped on, rising rapidly, forcing the player to quickly escape enclosed spaces. Square cutouts in the walls allow players to track the sandbars' movement and current height.
If Mario/Luigi were to dismount Yoshi and leave him behind in such areas where he would otherwise be crushed to death by the sand tide and the narrow ceiling/floor should the area get too narrow once the former gets too close and Yoshi alone gets crushed in the process, this will result in Yoshi potentially being sucked upwards into the ceiling and offscreen.
In chapter one of the first volume of Kodansha's Super Mario manga, sandbars make a minor appearance. After two Swoops steal Mario's cape, he tries to retrieve it with a reserve Cape Feather, but sandbars suddenly rise, pushing Mario and causing him to lose it.
Gallery[edit]
Mario running across the sandbar in Vanilla Dome 1
A sandbar in Valley of Bowser 2
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Note(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italian | Sandbar | - | [3] |
References[edit]
- ^ Playing With Super Power: Nintendo Super NES Classics eGuide, Super Mario World Confidential Information Tab. Prima Games (American English).
- ^ Stratton, Bryan (February 26, 2002). Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2–Prima’s Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games (American English). ISBN 0-7615-3913-1. Page 83.
- ^ Haley, Sebastian, and Meagan Marie (2017). Playing With Super Power: Super NES Classics (Italian Edition). Translated by Christian Colli. Terni: Multiplayer Edizioni, Prima Games (Italian). ISBN 9788866312833. Page 47.
