Inside the Ancient Pyramid

Inside the Ancient Pyramid is the third mission of Shifting Sand Land in Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. The mission involves climbing to the top of the pyramid's interior.

Layout
The player needs to enter the pyramid through the main entrance at the base. Once inside, the player needs to take the path on the right and follow it, avoiding and navigating the traps and obstacles as they make their way to the top. The Power Star is located at the top of the pyramid on the uppermost platform.

The first obstacle is a Grindel, which blocks two paths, one above and one below, but only one at a time based on its position. After the Grindel is a set of stairs that lead to the next floor, which contains the same Grindel from before as well as a number of Goombas. Up the pole is a hanging grate the player can use to get across a slope followed by some steps. Afterward, there is a rolling Spindel the player can avoid by either jumping over it or hiding in a small alcove until it passes. After the Spindel are a Spinning Heart and some vertically sliding stone slabs that allow the player to reach the upper area. Next is a narrow path, and the player has to avoid the nearby flying Amps in order to reach the pole. After the next Grindel is a slope that leads to the Power Star. In the DS remake, Balloon Mario can be used to reach the upper floors from the ground.

The player can also stand on top of the four pillars, making the top come off. The player can enter the pyramid from the top and can then perform a Long Jump from the lift to the Power Star.