Sand block

Sand Blocks are a type of Block made of grains of sand.

Sand Blocks first appear in the game Donkey Kong for the Game Boy. They disappear as soon as Mario walks over them. They do not return afterwards. In one level in Rocky-Valley, walking over Sand Blocks will set a group of Chikuchiku free which are trapped under the Sand Blocks. Another stage in the Tower is only consisting of Sand Blocks.

In Super Mario Sunshine, Sand Blocks appear in many Secret Levels. If Mario walks over them, they fall apart and disappear, then reappear after a certain amount of time. Their function is similar to the Shrinking Tiles that are later found in Super Mario Galaxy.