GBA Sunset Wilds

Sunset Wilds is the fourth and final course of the Lightning Cup in Mario Kart: Super Circuit and returns in Mario Kart Tour, first appearing in the Sunset Tour. The course is desert-themed and the sun is setting in the background. One of the most notable features of the track is that the evening progresses as the sun sets when each lap is completed, and the third lap is completed in the night. If the course takes place in five laps on Quick Run or VS. mode, the course remains in night for the duration of the race from the 3rd lap.

This course also contains Shy Guy Tents housing Shy Guys that can grab karts, making them lose coins and become slower. In the Japanese version of the game, these Shy Guys wear Native American headdresses, which were removed in international versions, possibly to avoid racial controversy with the Native American culture, though they still are found in tipis. This was further altered in its Mario Kart Tour appearance, as the Shy Guy Tents and Shy Guy obstacles, Exploring Shy Guys, now take on an explorer theme.

Course layout
Sunset Wilds begins on a straightaway, which is followed by a U-turn. Throughout this section, a few rocks can be spotted along the track, and a few cacti as well. The rocks and cacti, however, do not serve as obstacles, and will only knock the driver back slightly. After the U-turn, the player approaches a less sharp turn. On this turn is a section with some mud and bumps of land. The player is recommended to hit the land as much as possible, as the mud is slightly slower, although not by much. After this turn, the player will reach a section with four Dash Panels which have bumps before them, making them harder to access. The player will then go onto the path, which has large animal tracks, which lead to another mud section, this time, with some Dash Panels placed on the land areas, to help the player make it past the section quickly. The player approaches a few more turns, before reaching a section with many Shy Guy Tents with Shy Guys inside. Other features around this area are totem poles depicting Shy Guys, Snifits, and Toadies stacked up to the sides. The section with the tents has many Dash Panels, which can be used to gain speed, but are risky due to the fact hitting the tents will make a Shy Guy pop out, which will slow the player down and make them lose coins. After a few more U-turns, the player returns to the straightway in which the track begins, and moves on to the second lap as the sun goes down.

Mario Kart Tour
Sunset Wilds returns as a Retro Course for the first time in Mario Kart Tour, starting with the Sunset Tour. The Shy Guys are now depicted as prospectors (named Exploring Shy Guys in-game), with the tents being redesigned to resemble prospector tents instead of tipis. The two totem poles were replaced by more cacti. The rocks were moved to the off-road and the bumps were removed. The mud after the second turn was moved to the side of the road and all Dash Panels except for the ones on the second mud part were removed. The two U-turns before the finish line were removed and replaced with a part with hills and Swoops that appear at night. The course now changes to night after a set period of time, approximately the time required to complete one lap, due to the course now only having two laps. The course also now has a proper starting banner supported by two flagpoles that are sprouting up from Warp Pipes. It is the first (and currently only) Retro Course in the game not from Mario Kart 7 to have not been remade in another Mario Kart game prior to its return, the first Mario Kart: Super Circuit track that is not a Bowser's Castle track, and the first Retro Course to receive a new arrangement for its music. The course is a favorite of Luigi (Classic), Black Yoshi, Peach (Explorer), King Bob-omb, and Shy Guy (Gold).

Sunset Tour
In the Sunset Tour, Sunset Wilds served as the tour's signature course. It appeared as the first course in the Peach Cup, the third course in the Birdo Cup, and the location of the bonus challenges in the Toad Cup and the Toadette Cup. Its T variant appeared as the third course in the Fire Bro Cup and the second course in the Baby Rosalina Cup, while its R variant appeared as the second course in the Baby Daisy Cup and the first course in the Waluigi Cup.



Mario vs. Luigi Tour
In the Mario vs. Luigi Tour, Sunset Wilds appeared as the location of the bonus challenge in the Monty Mole Cup. Its T variant appeared as the location of the bonus challenge in the Baby Luigi Cup, while its R/T variant appeared as the third course in the Mario Cup and the second course in the Wario Cup.



Rosalina Tour
In the Rosalina Tour, Sunset Wilds appeared as the third course in the Metal Mario Cup and the location of the bonus challenge in the Roy Cup. Its R variant appeared as the second course in the Baby Mario Cup, while its T variant appeared as the third course in the Birdo Cup.



New Year’s 2021 Tour
In the New Year’s 2021 Tour, Sunset Wilds appears as the location of the bonus challenge in the Koopa Troopa Cup. It’s R/T variant appears as the third course in the Diddy Kong Cup.

Trivia

 * The archway in the Mario Kart Tour version of Sunset Wilds is based on the one that appears in the background of the Mario Kart: Super Circuit track.