DS Desert Hills

Desert Hills is the first race course of the Flower Cup in Mario Kart DS. Elements of the track are based on Desert Land from Super Mario Bros. 3. Pokeys roam around the desert and the Angry Sun will drop Fire Snakes on the track. Both of these elements act as obstacles on the course. The course also has sharper turns and more intense slopes than previous tracks in the game, bringing up the difficulty for the Flower Cup.

The course reappears as a retro course in Mario Kart Wii. In that game it is the first race track of the Leaf Cup. It was remade with improved graphics, like the other Mario Kart DS courses in Mario Kart Wii.

Course layout
The track starts near an oasis with a small lake where one can sink in the water. The first Pokey can be seen in front of the starting line here as well. To the right of the first turn, the track partially surrounds a pyramid made out of Brick Blocks. One of the other Pokeys are on this turn. There is then a field of dunes, with many more Pokeys roaming within it. The course has a few sharp turns at the end of each lap before approaching finish line.

The Pipes, Angry Sun, and block designs are taken from aspects of Desert Land of Super Mario Bros. 3.

Few changes had been made in the Mario Kart Wii version of this track aside from the improved visuals. Karts no longer flip when making contact with pokeys; Instead, they just spin out. The course map has been rotated 180 degrees in contrast to its predecessor.

Shortcuts
There are two shortcuts in this course. The first shortcut is taken by going straight across the hairpin turn, instead of going around. In 150cc, this shortcut requires only one mushroom, if the player jumps at the right time. The second is a dash-through behind the pyramid, right before the Pokeys start appearing. Two mushrooms will be required for this.

Missions
There are two missions involving this circuit: 2-6 and 4-4. In mission 2-6, the player must use the Bob-ombs to destroy 5 pokeys, and in mission 4-4, the player must pass the 7 gates in the order.

Official descriptions
Mario Kart DS
 * Instruction booklet: "This racetrack built in the middle of the desert tends to be quite bumpy."
 * Sites
 * Flag of USA.png "This racetrack built in the middle of the desert tends to be quite bumpy. Watch out for fireballs and stray Pokeys!"
 * Flag of Europe.png "Bring plenty of sunscreen and seat cushions for this race because the baking desert heat and bumpy terrain can give unprepared drivers serious sunburn and and saddle sores. Watch out for the Pokeys too - walking cacti that can stop a speeding kart in its tracks and cost you precious seconds."

Mario Kart Wii
 * European website: "If you can't stand the heat, then stay away from the desert hills! Fireballs falling from the sun make it even tougher to negotiate the high turns snaking through the dunes."

Tournaments
In Mario Kart Wii, a tournament took place on this track. Players had to defeat 10 Pokeys with Stars and Triple Green Shells as quickly as possible. It was the first tournament of December 2009.

Sponsors

 * Luigi Grand Prix (Trackside banners)
 * Luigi Tires (Trackside banners)
 * Mario Kart (Trackside banners) (Mario Kart DS only)
 * Super Mario (Trackside banners)
 * Super Mushroom (Trackside banners)
 * Waluigi Grand Prix (Trackside banners)

Names in other languages
Glühheisse Wüste Deserto Picchiasol