Shifting Sand Land



Shifting Sand Land is a desert-based portrait world appearing in Super Mario 64 and its re-make, Super Mario 64 DS. It is the eighth course in both games. It can be found in the dungeon 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 Dire Dire Docks.

Four Pillars stick out of the ground at different points in the level. Two of these pillars can be reached via sand, while the other two are located in quicksand and have to be reached with the Wing Cap.

The most prominent feature of the level is the great pyramid in the center. Three Power Stars can be 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 Goombas and on top of which is a Red ! Block. There is also a maze path which rests on top of quick sand and is traveled on by Tox Boxs. 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 and the Crazed Crate at the beginning of the level.

The level also features the first appearance of Klepto the Condor, (in the Nintendo 64 version this was Klepto's only appearance, although the DS version had him in multiple levels).

Star 1: In the Talons of the Big Bird
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 was hit, the star will float over to the left side of the pyramid's main entrance.

Star 2: Shining Atop the Pyramid
The next star requires Mario to get on to the pyramid. This can be achieved by either using a Wing Cap, or using the Ramp on the far side of the course. 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.

Star 3: Inside the Ancient Pyramid
Mario enters to the pyramid through the main entrance. Once inside, Mario has to go up in the pyramid to reach the Star.

Star 4: Stand Tall On the Four Pillars
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 Star awaits.

However, the Star cannot be gained because Mario has to fight against Eyerok, the monster of the pyramid. During battle, Eyerok will attempt to Mario to fall off the chamber to a Bottomless Pit, or even crushing him with its rock hands. Mario must hit Eyerok's eyes of its hands three times to beat the boss, earning the Star after that.

Star 5: Free Flying For 8 Red Coins
For this mission, Mario must pick up the eight Red Coins scattered through the level. All the coins are in the desert, excluding in the pyramid. The first red coin appears located near where the plumber sets out his exploration in the desert. The coin is located in a corner of the area, which Mario should take care to be not sunk by quicksand. The second Red Coin is found inside a Brick Block. Mario has to hit such block to get the coin. The third red coin is located in the pit of the Tox Boxes, while the fourth coin appears in a water pond past to the pit. The other four red coins are all in the sky. Mario needs to become Wing Mario to take the rest of the coins located around the pyramid. Once Mario had picked all the red coins in the level, the star will appear on the spot over the roof of the architecture where the second red coin was found.

Star 6: Pyramid Puzzle
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 to a sand duct, below 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 take the coins of each spot, the Star appears to the end of the sand duct.

In Super Mario 64 DS, either Mario, Luigi, Yoshi or Wario can do this mission. Additionally, the five spots in the pyramid were marked with Silver Stars that the heroes need to pick up in order to summon the Power Star inside the Star Sphere located in the end of the sand duct.

Star 7: Tox Box Switch Star
This Mission found only for the handheld version of the game, Wario is required to break a hard Brick Block located near to the Cannon in the trap of Tox Boxes, where he reveals a Star Switch beneath the block. As Wario has the lowest speed stat among Yoshi, Luigi and Mario, the red-capped plumber is the best option 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 water pond. In order to reach the Star, Mario can hit a red ? Block to obtain a Feather and become Wing Mario, then using the cannon near to the switch to fly directly to the spot where the Star lies before it disappears.

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 Grindels and Spindels. Common ones are Amps 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.

Trivia
The golf course Shifting Sands, which appeared in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour may have been based on this level. Also in the Mario Party 6 mini-game "Pokey Punch-Out" this course appears a long with Klepto in the background, (it is likely that this is the Shifting Sand Land due to the Pokeys in the background being drawn as they were in Super Mario 64 instead of the more recent Super Mario Sunshine).