Thwomp Desert

Thwomp Desert is a battle course in Mario Kart Wii.

Layout
Drivers battle in the middle of a quicksand pit surrounded by cacti, which players are gradually sucked down to the center of the pit. Although out of the quicksand trap seems secure, Item Boxes appear near the center of the pit. Players can prevent being drawn into the pit by simply driving away from it, as well as jumping on the buried remains of Thwomps near the trap.

Sometimes, a Thwomp rams into the ground, crushing players under it, while it creates waves in the quicksand that push the racers away from the center. Hitting the center of the pit (the player can actually drive very close to the pit center and not get sucked in) results with the player getting sunk into the sand, and Lakitu having to come and get the player. Hitting the cacti spins out the player similar to how a banana behaves.

Tournaments
A tournament took place on this battle course, where players had to battle a Pokey, which was located at the center of the course. Bob-ombs were used to attack it, and as it got damaged, body segments would move around. This tournament was the first tournament of October 2008, and it was later repeated as the second tournament of September 2009.

Official descriptions

 * Official European website: "With sinking sand and a giant Thwomp waiting for you at the centre of this dustbowl arena, it would be wise to drift around the edges as you attempt to secure victory."

Trivia

 * Thwomp Desert is one of only two Mario Kart Wii battle courses (along with Chain Chomp Wheel) with something other than opponents appearing on the map, as the Thwomp appears.