Editing Shifting Sand Land

{{galaxybox
|image=[[File:Shifting Sand Land 64.png|280px]]
|unlock=Defeating Bowser in the Dark World
|level='''''Super Mario 64'''''<br>[[#Star 1: In the Talons of the Big Bird|In the Talons of the Big Bird]]<br>[[#Star 2: Shining Atop the Pyramid|Shining Atop the Pyramid]]<br>[[#Star 3: Inside the Ancient Pyramid|Inside the Ancient Pyramid]]<br>[[#Star 4: Stand Tall On the Four Pillars|Stand Tall On the Four Pillars]]<br>[[#Star 5: Free Flying For 8 Red Coins (N64)|Free Flying For 8 Red Coins]]<br>[[#Star 6: Pyramid Puzzle|Pyramid Puzzle]]<br><br>'''''Super Mario 64 DS'''''<br>[[#Star 1: In the Talons of the Big Bird|In the Talons of the Big Bird]]<br>[[#Star 2: Shining Atop the Pyramid|Shining Atop the Pyramid]]<br>[[#Star 3: Inside the Ancient Pyramid|Inside the Ancient Pyramid]]<br>[[#Star 4: Stand Tall On the Four Pillars|Stand Tall On the Four Pillars]]<br>[[#Star 5: Tox Box Switch Star (DS)|Tox Box Switch Star]]<br>[[#Star 6: Pyramid Puzzle|Pyramid Puzzle]]<br>[[#Star 7: Free Flying For 8 Red Coins|Free Flying For 8 Red Coins]]<br>
|boss=[[Eyerok]]
|stars='''''Super Mario 64'':'''<br>[[File:Star SM64.png]][[File:Star SM64.png]][[File:Star SM64.png]][[File:Star SM64.png]][[File:Star SM64.png]][[File:Star SM64.png]]<br>'''''Super Mario 64 DS'':'''<br>[[File:Star SM64DS.png]][[File:Star SM64DS.png]][[File:Star SM64DS.png]][[File:Star SM64DS.png]][[File:Star SM64DS.png]][[File:Star SM64DS.png]][[File:Star SM64DS.png]]
}}
[[File:SM64DS-Shifting Sand Land Map.PNG|frame|left|Map of '''Shifting Sand Land''' in ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''.]]
'''Shifting Sand Land''' is a desert-based portrait world appearing in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and its remake, ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. It is the eighth course in both games. It can be found in the basement of the castle, although the entrance to it is disguised as a wall instead of a portrait. This level is called the Shifting Sand Land due to the fact that much of its ground terrain appears to be a type of quicksand. This course is the first one to have its entrance disguised as a wall; it is followed by [[Snowman's Land]]. Four Pillars stick out of the ground at different points in the level. Three of these pillars can be reached via sand, while the other one is surrounded by quicksand and must be reached with the [[Wing Cap]] or [[Koopa Shell]]. The most prominent feature of the level is the great pyramid in the center. Three [[Power Star]]s are found inside the pyramid. One of these is in the possession of [[Eyerok]], an ancient spirit which lives inside the pyramid. Eyerok serves as the boss of the level. 

Other notable locations include a small oasis (consisting of a palm tree, a small pool of water, and one [[Red Coin]]) located in the corner of the stage. A stone gazebo can be found near the beginning of the level, under which are two [[Goomba]]s and on top of which is a [[Red ! Block]] ([[? Block]] in the DS version), a Koopa Shell in a Yellow ! Block, and a [[Star Marker]]. There is also a maze path which rests on top of quicksand and is traveled on by rolling [[Tox Box]]es. This maze is one of a few ways to traverse from the east to the west side of the level. Other ways include a [[Wing Cap]], a [[Cannon]] hidden in the maze of the Tox Boxes, and the [[Crazed Crate]] at the beginning of the level.

The level also features the first appearance of [[Klepto]] the vulture; (in the [[Nintendo 64]] version, this was Klepto's only appearance, but the [[Nintendo DS|DS]] version had him in multiple levels). Shifting Sand Land is the only course in ''Super Mario 64'', along with [[Tall, Tall Mountain]], where Mario can lose his cap without the help of the wind.

==Levels==
The level titles and numbers correspond to ''Super Mario 64'' unless otherwise noted.
===Star 1: In the Talons of the Big Bird===
[[File:SM64DS Shifting Sand Land Star 1.png|thumb|Mario meeting Klepto.]]
This level is the same in both ''Super Mario 64'' and its remake, ''Super Mario 64 DS''. While exploring the area, Mario will come to see a large vulture, [[Klepto]], holding a [[Power Star]] in its claws. To snatch the Star from its claws, Mario can climb a pillar and wait the buzzard flying over him to do a [[jump]] and take away the Star. Other way to obtain the star consists of taking the [[Wing Cap]] to reach Klepto when it's flying high. Once the buzzard is hit, the Star will float over to the left side of the pyramid's main entrance.

It is possible to complete all subsequent stars (other than Pyramid Puzzle in the DS remake) by playing on this star. By doing so, Klepto will be holding the star the whole time, and as such, will not attack the player.

;Names in other languages
{{foreignname
|Jap=いたずらハゲたかジャンゴ
|JapR=Itazura hagetaka Jango
|JapM=Teasing Vulture Klepto
|Fra=Dans les griffes du vautour
|FraM=In the clutches of the vulture
|Kor=장고야!장난하냐?
|KorR=Jango ya! Jangnanhanya?
|KorM=Klepto! Are You Teasing Me?}}

===Star 2: Shining Atop the Pyramid===
[[File:Shining Atop the Pyramid.PNG|thumb|left|]]
The next star requires Mario to get on to the pyramid. This can be achieved by either using a Wing Cap, using a [[Koopa Troopa|Koopa]] Shell, or using the Ramp on the far side of the course by long jumping. Mario must walk on the platforms around the Pyramid to get up to the platform at the top of the Pyramid. The Star is located in a small alcove.

;Names in other languages
{{foreignname
|Jap=ピラミッドの てっぺんで
|JapR=Piramiddo no teppen de
|JapM=At the Top of the Pyramid
|Fra=Au sommet de la pyramide
|FraM=At the top of the pyramid
|Kor=피라미드꼭대기에서
|KorR=Piramideu kkokdaegi eseo
|KorM=At the Top of the Pyramid}}
{{br|left}}

===Star 3: Inside the Ancient Pyramid===
[[File:SM64DS Shifting Sand Land Star 3.png|thumb|Mario in the pyramid.]]
[[Mario]] needs to enter the pyramid through the main entrance. To get to the entrance, Mario needs to cross the quicksand and go around the course to the pyramid. Then go up the small ramp. He can also fly over the cage-fence by the pyramid to get in.

Once inside, Mario has to go up in the pyramid to reach the Power Star. Mario can go around the perimeter of the inside, or fall into quicksand. On his way, there is a platform surrounded by the quicksand. Mario must jump from there and to the next platform, or get stuck. Afterwords, he will have to go up the stairs and move on right, crossing enemies and even walking across a [[Grindel]]. Then he will come up to a bar that must be climbed up to reach the next floor. Once up, Mario should continue on and climb across the cage-bars nearby, leading to large stairs. Then, Mario will meet a [[Spindel|large, rolling enemy]] which he can jump over or hide in a space in the wall to avoid. Once passed, Mario will go up the moving platforms and go across the narrow walkway, then go up a bar and climb it. Mario will then see another Grindel, whom he will have to go under, and then go up the ramp. The star will be there and Mario can finally grab it.

;Names in other languages
{{foreignname
|Jap=きょだいピラミッドのないぶ
|JapR=Kyodai piramiddo no naibu
|JapM=Inside of the Huge Pyramid
|Fra=Dans l'ancienne pyramide
|FraM=In the old pyramid
|Kor=거대피라미드내부
|KorR=Geodae Piramideu Naebu
|KorM=Inside of the Huge Pyramid}}

===Star 4: Stand Tall On the Four Pillars===
[[File:Sandymario.png|thumb|left|Mario on one of the pillars.]]
[[File:Eyerok64DS.png|thumb|right|Eyerok]]
In this mission, [[Mario]] must stand over the four pillars surrounding the pyramid. To do so, the plumber needs to be [[Wing Mario]] or use the [[Koopa Shell]] to reach at least two of the pillars over a pool of quicksand. The other two pillars can be reached by just running onto them. After Mario has stood atop all the pillars, the top of the pyramid will collapse, revealing another entrance which Mario then enters. This entrance will lead the plumber to the chamber where the fourth Power Star awaits. 

However, the star cannot be gained yet because Mario has to fight against [[Eyerok]], the monster of the pyramid. In battle, Eyerok will attempt to push Mario off the platform into a [[Pit (obstacle)|Bottomless Pit]], or even try crushing him with its rock hands. Mario must hit Eyerok's eyes three times each to destroy him and gain the power star.

An unintended shortcut exists in this level. Mario must go on the platform near the sand duct. He must fall down in the center of the side with the quicksand. If the player tilts the control stick towards the screen, Mario can access the hole that leads to Eyerok. In the DS version, Luigi can make another "shortcut" by going into the normal entrance of the pyramid and then backflip to the orange block to fight the hands. Also, [[Yoshi]] can make use of the flame seen in Eyerok's battlefield to attack the boss, or he can also use kicks. In addition, Wario only needs to hit Eyerok's eyes twice.

;Names in other languages
{{foreignname
|Jap=4つのはしらにたつものへ
|JapR=Yottsu no hashira ni tatsu mono e
|JapM=Dear whom stands on the 4 pillars
|Fra=Les quatre piliers de la foi
|FraM=The four pillars of faith
|Kor=4개의기둥에올라선자
|KorR=4 gae ui gidung e ollaseon ja
|KorM=The Person Standing on the Four Pillars}}

===Star 5: Free Flying For 8 Red Coins (N64)/7 (DS)===
[[File:Free Flying For 8 Red Coins.PNG|thumb|left]]
[[File:YoshiShiftingSandLandDS.png|frame|The DS version of Shifting Sand Land.]]
For this mission, [[Mario]] must pick up the eight [[Red Coin]]s scattered throughout the level. All of these coins are in the desert surrounding the pyramid. The first coin is located near Mario's starting point. He must walk a narrow path, taking care not to fall into the quicksand. The second coin is found inside a [[Brick Block]] beneath the raised stone platform near the beginning of the level. Mario must break the block to obtain the coin. The third coin is located in the pit of the [[Tox Box]]es. The fourth coin is underwater in a pool on the side of the pyramid opposite where Mario begins the level. The remaining four coins are in the air. Mario must become [[Wing Mario]] to obtain these. It is helpful to launch Mario from the four pillars at each corner of the pyramid, creating a good distance from the desired coin. Once Mario has obtained all of the Red Coins in the level, the Star will appear on top of the raised stone platform where Mario found the second coin.

This level is the same in both ''Super Mario 64'' and its remake; however, in ''Super Mario 64 DS'', only Mario can be used as he is the only playable character who can fly. It is also possible to complete the mission with Luigi's backflip. It was moved to Star 7 instead of being Star 5.

;Names in other languages
{{foreignname
|Jap=とびまわれ 8まいコイン
|JapR=Tobimaware hachi mai koin
|JapM=Fly high, 8 Coins
|Fra=Vol vers les pièces rouges
|FraM=Flight toward the red coins
|Kor=날아올라!코인8개
|KorR=Naraolla! Koin 8 gae
|KorM=Fly high! Eight Coins}}
{{br|left}}

===Star 5: Tox Box Switch Star (DS)===
[[File:SM64DS Shifting Sand Land Star 5.png|left|thumb|]]
In this ''Super Mario 64 DS''-exclusive mission, [[Wario]] is required to break a hard [[Brick Block]] located near to the [[Cannon]] in the trap of [[Tox Box]]es, where he reveals a [[Star Switch]] beneath the block. As Wario has the lowest speed stats among [[Yoshi]], [[Luigi]] and [[Mario]], the red or green-capped plumbers are the best options to reach the [[Power Star]]. Once pressed the switch, the Star appears in the [[Star Sphere]] located right after the pit of the Tox Boxes and the oasis. In order to reach the Star, Mario can hit a red [[? Block]] to obtain a [[Cape Feather|Feather]] and become [[Wing Mario]], then using the cannon near to the switch to fly directly to the spot where the Power Star lies before it disappears. The player can also flutter jump over the Tox Boxes as Yoshi to the star or long jump. To reach the star with Wario himself, when the [[Star Switch]] is pressed, the player have to walk to the plate on the opposite of the cannon underneath the [[? Block|item block]] which can teleport them near a palm tree near the [[Star]], where [[Klepto]] is with the oasis.

In the DS remake, this level replaces Free Flying for 8 Red Coins as Star 5.
{{br}}
;Names in other languages
{{foreignname
|Jap=オニマスクンの スイッチスター
|JapR=Onimasukun no suicchi sutā
|JapM=The Switch Star of Tox Box
|Kor=되도깨비의스위치스타
|KorR=Doedokkaebi ui seuwichi seuta
|KorM=The Switch Star of Tox Box}}
{{br|left}}

===Star 6: Pyramid Puzzle ===
[[File:Runmariorun.jpg|thumb|Mario in the pyramid.]]
This mission takes place inside the pyramid. [[Mario]] must go up in the pyramid to find five spots marked by a [[Coin]]. Two of these spots are platforms near a sand duct, below where the third Power Star was found. Following the sand path, other three spots are located in a duct where the sand moves to the sand pit of the first floor. If Mario manages to collect the coins in each spot, the Star will appear at the end of the sand duct. In ''Super Mario 64 DS'', [[Silver Star]]s mark these spots and the [[Star Sphere]] appears at the sand duct's end. As Luigi, the player can spin from one coin to another, avoiding the sand. Also, one location was changed, so that when the player gets to the very top, they can collect the Silver Star before falling. Other than that, the mission is the same as it is in the original.

;Names in other languages
{{foreignname
|Jap=きょだいピラミッドのナゾ
|JapR=Kyodai piramiddo no nazo
|JapM=Riddle of the Huge Pyramid
|Fra=Énigme de la pyramide
|FraM=Enigma of the pyramid
|Kor=피라미드의수수께끼
|KorR=Piramideu ui susukkekki
|KorM=Riddle of the Huge Pyramid}}

==Pyramid==
[[File:SM64DS-Shifting Sand Land Map2.PNG|frame|left|Map of the Pyramid in ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''.]]
[[File:SM64DS-Shifting Sand Land Map3.PNG|frame|[[Eyerok]]'s room within the Pyramid.]]
Inside the Pyramid are numerous levels and enemies. There are enemies both unique to this course and ones found in other courses. Unique enemies include [[Grindel]]s and [[Spindel]]s. Common ones are [[Amp]]s and Goombas. Using conventional methods, it can be quite difficult to reach the power star at the highest reaches of the pyramid, considering that if one falls, they must start all over again. Occupying a large portion of the center of the pyramid is a large body of shifting sand. In the center of this body of sand is a structure with a passage leading to Eyerok's platform.

The music played when inside the pyramid is the Cave Dungeon theme, the theme used in '''Hazy Maze Cave''' and '''Wet-Dry World'''. However, unlike '''Hazy Maze Cave''' and '''Wet-Dry World''', where a different variation of the theme is played depending on where Mario is, both variations of the theme are played simultaneously. This music is shared with the igloo in '''Snowman's Land''' and Wiggler's Cave in '''Tiny-Huge Island'''.
{{br|left}}

==Enemies==
*[[Amp]]
*[[Bob-omb]]
*[[Fire Chomp]] (DS)
*[[Fly Guy]]
*[[Goomba]]
*[[Grindel]]
*[[Klepto]]
*[[Kuromame]] (N64)
*[[Pokey]]
*[[Spindel]]
*[[Tox Box]]
==Statistics from ''Super Mario 64''==
*'''Total Number of [[coin]]s''': 136
*'''[[Cap]]s Found''': [[Wing Cap]] (3)
*'''[[Spinning Heart]]''': Inside the pyramid, on the fourth level, after the rolling stone, and before the raising and falling platforms.
*'''[[Cannon]]s''': 1
*'''[[1-Up Mushroom]]s''' (9):
**''Homing Mushroom'' : '''#1''' In the tree near the lake.
**''Static Mushroom'' : '''#2''' Floating in air above quicksand right after the start point. '''#3''' Over the hill left of the start point, next to the big chain fence. '''#4''' Inside the pyramid, above [[Grindel]] on the left path. '''#5''' Inside the pyramid, above the metal hanging grill near the [[Amp]].
**''Triggered Mushroom'' : '''#6''' Inside the pyramid, appears after the player steps on all five platforms on the quicksand at the back of the pyramid.
**''Box Mushroom'' : '''#7''' On the pyramid near the entrance. '''#8''' Inside the pyramid at the end of the left path. '''#9''' Inside the pyramid, on the back. Can be seen from #8.
*'''Warps:'''
**Standing under the palm tree next to the small oasis warps will warp Mario near the cannon on the metal platform above the quicksand.
**Standing just to the right of the hole in the pyramid's second floor (at the top of the pole) warps Mario to the top of the metal hanging grille. This is meant to be one-way, but can be reversed by standing on the slightly higher edge <ref> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtlpcMZQV0E </ref>.

==Names in other languages==
{{Foreignname
|Jap=あっちっちさばく
|JapR=Acchicchi sabaku
|JapM=Hot Hot Desert
|Fra=Sables Trop Mouvants
|FraM=Too Quicksands (pun on "too quick sands" and "quicksands").
|Ger=Wobiwaba Wüste
|GerM=Wobiwaba Desert
|Ita=Deserto Ingoiatutto
|ItaM=All-swallowing Desert
|Kor=앗뜨거!사막
|KorR=At-tteugeo! Samak
|KorM=Ahh-Hot! Desert
|Spa=Arenas Ardientes
|SpaM=Burning Sands
}}

==Trivia==
*The golf course [[Shifting Sands]], which appeared in ''[[Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour]]'', may have been based on this level. The area also appears in the ''[[Mario Party 6]]'' minigame "[[Pokey Punch-out]]," complete with Klepto in the background.
*The Blue Coin Switch inside the pyramid produces three blue coins. This is the only blue coin switch in the game that produces exactly three, instead of four. However, in the DS version, it was changed to four.
*Pyramid Puzzle is the only Silver Star challenge in the game that does not have "Silver Star(s)" in the title.
**Also, this is one of two courses with both a [[Star Switch|Switch Star]] and [[Silver Star]]. The other is [[Tick Tock Clock]].
*The pyramids in the background are actually based on the [[wikipedia:Great Pyramid of Giza|Great Pyramid of Giza]].
*The name of the level may be a reference to the "Shifting Sands", one of the magical, impassable deserts in L. Frank Baum's ''Oz'' books.

==References==
<references/>
{{BoxTop}}
{{SM64}}
[[Category:Super Mario 64 Locations]]
[[Category:Places]]
[[Category:Deserts]]
[[Category:Levels]]
[[Category:Temples and Shrines]]
[[de:Wobiwaba Wüste]]
[[it:Deserto Ingoiatutto]]