GCN Dry Dry Desert

Dry Dry Desert is a race course found in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. It is the fourth and last stage of the Mushroom Cup, and is based on an area of the same name from Paper Mario. The course is located in a burning desert containing many Egyptian-themed elements like pyramids, obelisks showing pictures of Mario and friends carved in the stone, and large stone statues. The track also includes a pool of quicksand that pulls karts to the bottom of the pit where a large cactus-like Big Piranha Plant waits the unfortunate racers to be devoured, calling Lakitu for rescue. Other obstacles are Pokeys along the course, bending their bodies that cause players to spin out of control when touching them. A tornado runs along the course in the opposite way racers go on the track, lifting anything on the ground to the air. It also appears in Mario Kart 8, as the first course of the Banana Cup as well as a battle stage.

Course layout
The track starts crossing a stone arch where the starting line is located. Usually, there is a straight path where the finish line is; Dry Dry Desert is no different. After the straight dirt path is a curve to the right. The roads twists moderately with some Pokeys to the left and right. The player may use a Mushroom to cut through the sand in this area, but has to watch out for the collapsed obelisks acting as speed bumps, which may slow the player down if he or she plans to cut through this area.

After the twisty road is a curve right facing towards an oasis, which splits into two branches. In the center of the fork is a giant sand pit, which will lure any racer into the center of it. If the players reaches the bottom, they will get gobbled up by the Big Piranha Plant lying in the center of the pit, similar to straying off course or falling. The fork winds around this circular pit.

After the pit is two statues and a curve right. Two Pokeys are standing next to each other with an Item Box occupying in between the two Pokeys. There is a turn right after the two Pokeys and the item box, which leads into an enlarged area with many dunes, often with item boxes on top of them. One large Pokey can first be seen and after, two large Pokeys with item boxes directly next to them.

After passed this part is a curve right that leads straight, until the course starts again, which is the finish line. More obelisks and a sphinx can be seen in the background while the player is turning right into the straight path that leads into the finish line.

The darker off-road sand causes karts to slow down or immobilize the vehicle. If the player goes too far into the dark brown sand, Lakitu will take the kart away from the dangerous sands.

Staff ghost
In order to unlock the staff ghost, the player must finish the course in 1:53.00 in Time Trial. The ghost revealed is Birdo and Yoshi driving the Turbo Yoshi.

Official descriptions

 * Official website: “Kick up some dust in Dry Dry Desert – but watch out for the sand traps. Beware of the roving tornado, or you'll get caught up in the excitement.”
 * Official European website: “Dodge the kart-spinning cyclones and deadly pools of quicksand, and don’t be distracted by hieroglyphics of Mario and co.”

Mario Kart 8
Dry Dry Desert reappears in Mario Kart 8 as the first course of the Banana Cup. The course has now been updated with HD graphics, shading, lighting effects and music. The course now features a more slope-like design, and the palm trees and advertisement boards have switched positions. All of the statues have been reworked into stone Koopa statues, and a Hammer Bro. Sphinx with a Wiggler headdress has also been added. The large open portion of the end of the track has been turned into an oasis allowing players to drive underwater and perform tricks from holes with rising jets (similar to Dolphin Shoals). The Pokeys now sport their New Super Mario Bros. Wii appearance. Falling pillars from Dry Dry Ruins are also seen in this course. The tornado and the Big Piranha Plant have been removed with the latter being replaced by Lakitu, who pulls the player out of the pit.

Official descriptions
Mario Kart Facebook Page: ''The mysterious (and some say cursed) Hammer Bros. Sphinx looms over hapless kart drivers in Dry Dry Desert in Mario Kart 8. Take a lap … if you dare.''

Trivia

 * This track and  SNES Donut Plains 3 are the only non-DLC retro courses in Mario Kart 8 to not involve air gliding. Coincidentally, both take place in the Banana Cup.