Shifting Sands Stage
| Level | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shifting Sands Stage | |||
| |||
| Game | Mario Pinball Land | ||
| Music track | Sandy | ||
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| << Directory of levels >> >> | |||
- “What mystery lies deep within this sun-scorched desert?”
- —Mario Pinball Land instruction manual, pg. 21
The Shifting Sands Stage[1] is a level in Mario Pinball Land. The stage is composed of a desert containing cacti and ruins, and it is surrounded by hills and palm trees. In this stage, Mario encounters Pokeys, Lakitus, Spinies, and Kleptos. The boss of the stage is the Egyptian Koopa, found inside a buried pyramid, where Snakes and Shy Guys can also be found.
Areas[edit]
NOTE: Unless otherwise marked, all names are unofficial.
Starting area[edit]
The starting area in the Shifting Sands Stage features a pair of two-segment-tall Pokeys, a cactus, and a ? Block (which contains a Pipe) that is replaced by a Sky Cannon once the Egyptian Koopa is defeated. Defeating both Pokeys yields the player a Star. After the Egyptian Koopa is defeated, a Lakitu can be found in this area, throwing a single Spiny at a time.
Pokey area[edit]
The Pokey area is accessible via the 1-★ door in the starting area. This area features four cacti, a fezz-wearing Monty Mole, and a pair of four-segment-tall Pokeys. Hitting the Monty Mole in all four positions rewards the player with a 1-UP Mushroom, and defeating both Pokeys yields the player a Star.
Lakitu area[edit]
The Lakitu area is accessible via the 4-★ door in the starting area. This area features a Lakitu that continuously throws up to four Spinies in the area, as well as a ? Block with a Mega Mushroom. Clearing the area of Spinies yields the player a Star. The Egg Mark is found in this area.
Buried pyramid area[edit]
The buried pyramid area is accessible via the 2-★ door in the starting area. This area features two sphinxes, one in each upper corner, and four Kleptos circling around a large buried pyramid. Hitting the sphinxes a total of four times in quick succession unearths the pyramid, allowing Mario inside. Defeating all four Kleptos yields the player a Star.
Pyramid entrance room[edit]
The first room inside the pyramid features three floor panels. Pressing either the left or the right panel, as indicated by the arrows on the floor, reveals a passage to the left or right Shy Guy area, respectively. Pressing the middle panel causes eight Snakes to appear from the jars in the corners of the room. Defeating all Snakes before any escape through the vent in the center yields the player a Star. The player can go through the vent as Mini Mario.
Snake room[edit]
By using a Mini Mushroom, Mario is able to go through the vent in the pyramid entrance room, accessing the Snake room. The room is a circular pit where Snakes appear one by one, up to a total of six at a time. Also in the room is a ? Block with Lightning. In total, 32 Snakes appear in the room, and defeating them all yields the player a Star.
Left Shy Guy room[edit]
The left Shy Guy room is accessible through the left passage in the pyramid entrance area. This room features five pillars and two floor panels. Pressing the right panel reveals a passage to the Egyptian Koopa room. Pressing the left panel causes three Shy Guys to appear behind the pillars, after which the Shy Guys take turns moving around them. Defeating all three Shy Guys yields the player a Star. Occasionally, one of Toad's tents is located in this room.
Right Shy Guy room[edit]
The right Shy Guy room is accessible through the right passage in the pyramid entrance area. This room features a central pillar and two floor panels. Pressing the left panel reveals a passage to the Egyptian Koopa room. Pressing the right panel causes four Shy Guys to appear from behind the pillar. Defeating all four Shy Guys yields the player a Star. Occasionally, one of Toad's tents is located in this room.
Egyptian Koopa room[edit]
At the bottom of the pyramid is the Egyptian Koopa room, accessible through both of the Shy Guy rooms above it. The room contains two enchanted obelisks and a large statue of the Egyptian Koopa at the center. Pressing the panel in front of the statue causes it to come to life and begin attacking Mario. After the Egyptian Koopa is defeated, he leaves behind a Star Key, and a ? Block appears on each side of the room. The left one contains a Mini Mushroom, while the right one contains Lightning. After Mario brings the Star Key to the Fiery Stage, a Red Switch appears at the center of the room, where the Egyptian Koopa stood.
Gallery[edit]
The Red Switch appears.
Names in other languages[edit]
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | 砂漠ステージ[?] Sabaku Sutēji |
Desert Stage | |
| French (NOE) | Tableau des Sables Mouvants[2] | Table of the Shifting Sands | |
| German | Wüstenwirrwarr[3] | Desert Chaos | |
| Italian | Livello delle sabbie mobili[4] | Shifting sands level | |
| Spanish (NOE) | El Desierto de las Arenas[5] | The Desert of Sands |
References[edit]
- ^ Mario Pinball Land instruction booklet. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 21.
- ^ 2004. Super Mario Ball European instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (French). Page 59.
- ^ 2004. Super Mario Ball European instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (German). Page 39.
- ^ 2004. Super Mario Ball European instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (Italian). Page 119.
- ^ 2004. Super Mario Ball European instruction booklet. Nintendo of Europe (Spanish). Page 99.
