Sunset Express
| Sunset Express | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Larry riding on the train. | |||||||
| How to access | Obtain the orange Mini Paint Star from Tangerino Grill | ||||||
| Paint Stars | 
| ||||||
| Colorless spots | 14 | ||||||
| Things | None | ||||||
| Boss | Larry | ||||||
| |||||||
- “That train sure ran into one disaster after another... I'm glad that we can laugh about it now!”
- —Huey, Paper Mario: Color Splash
Sunset Express is a location found in Paper Mario: Color Splash. The path leading here is unlocked after getting the orange Mini Paint Star from Tangerino Grill, and will color in the Draggadon fossil in Marmalade Valley after getting the orange Big Paint Star here. Larry is fought on top of the train after he hijacks it.
Layout[edit]
After Mario and Huey arrive, a blue Toad tells them about a rockslide on the tracks, stopping the Sunset Express from going to Starlight Cape. If they investigate, they find a Thwomp blocking the path. Huey shouts at it to wake up, but is unsuccessful. Mario must go back to the train station and hammer an Unfurl Block, then dodge rolling logs and Shy Guys to reach a large crate that can be unfurled. It turns into a water tower, dispenses a Save Block, and Mario can now navigate around the Thwomp to get to its right. The Megaphone Thing must be inserted through a Cutout, and Huey screams at the Thwomp so loudly it wakes up and goes away. However, the train is then hijacked by Larry and his minions. The conductor comes by on a handcar and, with Mario's help, catches up to the train.
The first car of the Sunset Express has Toad #1 of the red Rescue Squad taped to the door. In the second car, Toad #41 warns Mario of Shy Guys peeking through the doors. If Mario is spotted by the first two Shy Guys, he is dragged into the room and beaten up, while if he interrupts the third one, he battles it. When Toad #2 is freed, he begins clinging to the window, so Mario must hammer him out. The third car is invaded by Fuzzies and contains a locked suitcase. In the fourth car, Toad #33 of the red Rescue Squad is afraid of a Shunned Guy on the floor, and Mario must sneak up on it and then hit it with his hammer. Next, Mario must walk in front of this car and use Cutout on the stair-like pattern. This takes him to the roof, where he can fight Rocky Wrenches and eventually free Toad #35.
Mario must hit the Unfurl Block on the roof and unfurl a barrel on the next car, forming a carpet up to its roof. Mario can drop down into this room to find Toads #36-#39 being held captive by eight Snifits. After the Snifits are defeated, they drop the Trunk Key and the Toads escape. The Trunk Key must be used in the locked suitcase in car three, freeing Toads #3-#32. Back in the fifth car, which is full of enemies that Mario can talk to, Toad #42 is sitting and talking to a Shy Guy. Toad #34 is nearby, looking at the coal car. Next, Mario must return to the roof and free Toad #40, who is being trapped by a Spike. As Mario approaches the front of the train, he is attacked by three Coal Guys.
Finally, Mario approaches Larry, who reveals that he was the VIP customer at Tangerino Grill. After the first turn, Larry stands on the smokestack and has a Shy Guy throw health-restoring hearts from the cabin to heal him. The train conductor runs down to stop the Shy Guy, and Mario must fight off Larry's minions to protect the conductor. After three turns, the conductor defeats the Shy Guy. Mario must use the Cork Thing from Vortex Island to plug up the smokestack, and then deal enough damage to defeat Larry. The conductor takes control of the train again.
The train stops at Starlight Cape, and Mario and Huey admire the sunset when they see a shooting star. Mario wishes that Princess Peach is safe, while Huey wishes that they will find all six Big Paint Stars. Suddenly, the orange Big Paint Star descends, which Huey takes as a sign of their wishes coming true. When Mario collects the Big Paint Star, it repaints the Draggadon fossil in Marmalade Valley.
Enemies[edit]
Red Shy Guys
Red Snifits
Red Spike Guys (boss only)
Koopa Paratroopa 10-Stack (boss only)
Larry (boss)
Required Thing(s)[edit]
- Megaphone (to wake up the sleeping Big Thwomp)
- Cork (to plug up the train's smokestack during Larry's boss fight)
Collectibles[edit]
Additional items not included: Globs of paint/random Coins from hammering/breaking random objects and items from the Spinning Door.
Field Items[edit]
| Item | Icon | Location | Location Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorless Eekhammer x3, Hopslipper x3 and Iron Jump x3 Battle Cards |   
|
In the first scene, found under the train car with barrels. To collect them, Mario must hammer the train car, so the cards fall on the ground. | .png)
|
| Heart | 
|
At the end of the train car connected to the coal car. | .png)
|
| Trunk Key | 
|
Dropped by 8 Snifits found inside the traincar connected to coal car after defeat. Required to progress. | .png)
|
Colorless spots[edit]
| Location | Drop | Necessity | Location Image |
|---|---|---|---|
 In the first area, on the side of a crate.
|
  Coins, Hammer x2 Battle Card |
Optional | 
|
 In the first area, on a fencepost.
|
 Coins, Iron Jump Battle Card |
Optional | 
|
| In the first area, on the ground.
|
Coins |
Optional | 
|
 In the first area, on a piece of grass.
|
Coins |
Optional | 
|
| In the first area, on the ground.
|
 Coins, Blazehammer Battle Card |
Optional | 
|
| In the first area, on the ground between two train tracks.
|
Coins |
Optional | 
|
| In the first area, on the ground.
|
2x Coins, 2 Big Mushroom Battle Cards |
Optional | 
|
| In the first area, on a flower.
|
 Coins, Big Fire Flower Battle Card |
Optional | 
|
 On top of the train cars, on the roof.
|
Coins |
Optional | 
|
| On top of the train cars, on the roof.
|
 Coins, Hurlhammer Battle Card |
Optional | 
|
| In the Snifit train car, on the left door.
|
Coins |
Required | 
|
| In the first area, on the train tracks. This spot can only be accessed after the Sunset Express has departed.
|
Coins |
Optional | 
|
| In the first area, on the wall. This spot can only be accessed after the Sunset Express has departed.
|
Coins |
Optional | 
|
| In the first area, on the ground. This spot can only be accessed after the Sunset Express has departed.
|
Coins |
Optional | 
|
? Blocks[edit]
| Item | Location | Image |
|---|---|---|
 Big Spin Jump (colorless) |
In the first scene, between the second and third sets of crates/barrels. | 
|
 Big Hurlhammer (colorless), Coin (both brick blocks) |
Same scene, in the east. | 
|
| Coin (both) |
In the second scene, in the southwest. | 
|
 Big Line Jump (colorless) |
In the first scene, after the train leaves the station, left of the Spinning-Door. | 
|
Cutouts[edit]
| Location | Reward | Hint | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the second area, while standing to the right of the Thwomp. The Megaphone Thing must be inserted. | Required for completion | None | 
|
| Against the train car with the Shunned Guy inside, while on the side. | Required for completion | None | 
|
Record[edit]
 Sunset Express - Plays on the Sunset Express | File info |
| The Wandering Sombrero - Plays near Sombrero Guys | File info |
| Larry's Runaway Train - Plays while battling Larry | File info |
| This Here's Paint Country - Plays during the dance after collecting the orange Big Paint Star | File info |
Gallery[edit]
Sprites and models[edit]
World map icon.
Sunset Express concept art.
Model of a handcar
Screenshots[edit]
A blue Toad talks to Mario.
The conductor panics.
A Big Thwomp on the tracks.
A Toad tells Mario about the Unfurl Block.
A Toad runs from the Sunset Express.
The conductor on the handcar.
A Rescue Squad member jumps out of the window.
A Toad warns Mario about Shy Guys.
A Sombrero Guy plays music.
Mario with a Toad in the second car.
Mario is attacked by Fuzzies.
Mario tries to open a locked suitcase.
A Shunned Guy.
Rescue Squad member #34 runs by the train.
A carpet is formed from an unfurled barrel.
Mario pulls Bowser Tape to free a Toad.
Mario, four Toads, and Snifits in a car.
The Toads are freed from the trunk.
Mario battles Rocky Wrenches and a Sombrero Guy.
A Toad trapped beneath a cardboard lid.
Mario talks with a Rescue Squad Toad.
A Shy Guy talks to Mario.
Mario approaches Larry.
The conductor starts going to the cabin.
Mario uses the Cork Thing.
Larry admits defeat.
The train arrives at Starlight Cape.
The sunset view from Starlight Cape.
The orange Big Paint Star.
The Big Paint Star is collected.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | サンセットエクスプレス[?] Sansetto ekusupuresu |
Sunset Express | |
| French (NOA) | Express du Crépuscule[?] | Sunset Express | |
| French (NOE) | Express du crépuscule[?] | Sunset Express | |
| German | Abendrot-Express[?] | Sunset Express | |
| Italian | Ponent-Express[?] | West Express | |
| Portuguese | Expresso do Pôr do Sol[?] | Sunset Express | |
| Russian | Западный экспресс[?] Zapadnyy ekspress |
West Express | |
| Spanish | Expreso del Ocaso[?] | Sunset Express |
