Sand block in Super Mario Sunshine.

Sand blocks[1][2][3] (or sand-block[4]), also called sand cubes[5] or sandy blocks[6], are a type of block made of grains of sand.

Sand block (compressed)

Sand blocks first appear in the game Donkey Kong for the Game Boy. They dissolve as soon as Mario walks over them. They do not return afterwards. In one level in Rocky-Valley, walking over sand blocks will set a group of Chikuchiku free which are trapped under the sand blocks. Another stage in the Tower consists entirely of sand blocks.

In Super Mario Sunshine, sand blocks appear in many secret levels. If Mario walks over them, they collapse and disappear, then reappear after a certain amount of time. Their function is similar to the Shrinking Tiles that are later found in Super Mario Galaxy.

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese 砂ブロック[7]
Suna Burokku
Sand Block

References

  1. ^ Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh. Super Mario Sunshine Official Strategy Guide. Page 63.
  2. ^ Averill, Alan, and Jennifer Villarreal. Super Mario Sunshine Player's Guide. Page 82.
  3. ^ Hodgson, David S J, Bryan Stratton, and Stephen Stratton. Super Mario Sunshine Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Page 14.
  4. ^ Bogenn, Tim, and Doug Walsh. Super Mario Sunshine Official Strategy Guide. Pages 62, 95, 96.
  5. ^ Loe, Casey. Super Mario Sunshine Perfect Guide. Pages 56, 80.
  6. ^ Averill, Alan, and Jennifer Villarreal. Super Mario Sunshine Player's Guide. Page 64.
  7. ^ Shogakukan. 2015. Super Mario Bros. Hyakka: Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook, Super Mario Sunshine section, page 105.