Shifting Sands Stage

Shifting Sands Stage
Game	Mario Pinball Land
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“What mystery lies deep within this sun-scorched desert?”

—Mario Pinball Land instruction manual

The Shifting Sands Stage 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.

The first area in Shifting Sands Stage.

Starting area

The starting area in Shifting Sands Stage features a pair of two segments tall Pokeys, a cactus and a block that is replaced by a Sky Cannon once Egyptian Koopa is defeated. Defeating both Pokeys yields the player a Star.

The third area in the Shifting Sands Stage.

Pokey area

Accessible via the 4★ door in the starting area. This room features a single block and a Lakitu who continuously throws Spinies in the room, up to a maximum of four. Clearing the room of Spinies yields the player a Star.

The second area in the Shifting Sands Stage.

Pokey area

Accessible via the 1★ door in the starting area. This room features four cacti, a Monty Mole and a pair of four segments tall Pokeys. Hitting the Monty Mole in all four positions rewards the player with a 1-Up Mushroom and defeating both Pokeys yields the player a Star.

The buried pyramid of the Shifting Sands Stage.

The pyramid unearthed.

Buried Pyramid area

Accessible via the 2★ door in the starting area. This room 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 will unearth the pyramid, allowing Mario inside. Defeating all four Kleptos yields the player a Star.

The first room inside the pyramid.

Pyramid entrance room

The first room inside the pyramid features three panels on the floor. Pressing either the left or right panels, as indicated by the arrows on the floor, will reveal passages to the left and right Shy Guy areas, respectively. Pressing the middle panel will cause eight Snakes to appear from the jars in the corner of the room. Defeating all Snakes before any escapes through the vent in the center yields the player a Star.

The left room on the second level of the pyramid.

Left Shy Guy room

Accessible through the left passage in the Pyramid entrance area. This room features five pillars and two panels on the floor. Pressing the right panel will reveal a passage to the Egyptian Koopa room. Pressing the left panel will cause three Shy Guys to appear behind the pillars, who will then take turns moving around them. Defeating all three Shy Guys yields the player a Star. Occasionally, one of Toad's tents will be located in this room.

The right room on the second level of the pyramid.

Right Shy Guy room

Accessible through the right passage in the Pyramid entrance area. This room features a central pillar and two panels on the floor. Pressing the left panel will reveal a passage to the Egyptian Koopa room. Pressing the right panel will cause 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 will be located in this room.

The dormant statue of Egyptian Koopa.

Mario fighting the Egyptian Koopa

Egyptian Koopa room

At the bottom of the pyramid is Egyptian Koopa's room, accessible through both of the Shy Guy rooms above it. The room contains two Enchanted obelisks and a large statue of Egyptian Koopa at the center. Pressing the panel in front of the statue will cause it to come to life and begin attacking Mario. After the boss is defeated, two blocks will appear in the room, and after Mario brings the Star Key to the Fiery Stage, a red ! Switch will appear at the center of the room, where Egyptian Koopa stood.