Sand Kingdom

Not to be confused with Desert Kingdom.

Template:SMOlocation-infobox The Sand Kingdom is the third kingdom visited in Super Mario Odyssey. It is the greater location of Tostarena, which is a desert village featuring a small town and a large ruins area. This kingdom's main landmark is the Inverted Pyramid, which is an upside-down pyramid located in the north-east section of the area. When Mario first visits here, the kingdom is covered with large pillars of ice and Bowser is found atop the Inverted Pyramid. The player's first objective in this kingdom is to reach the "highest tower". From there, the player must find Moon Shards in the sand. After that, they reach the top of the Inverted Pyramid and fight Hariet, one of the Broodals, which will grant the player a Multi Moon. When collected, the player is teleported back to the Odyssey, and the kingdom cycles to a night-time version, where the Inverted Pyramid floats into the air, revealing a large hole underneath. The kingdom is also overrun by Chinchos during the night-time, which Mario must avoid as he heads to the large hole under the Inverted Pyramid. Once the player enters, he must traverse through an icy Underground Temple and then fight Knucklotec at the end of the Temple. Defeating this boss rewards Mario with another Multi Moon, which (when collected) reverts the kingdom back to daytime and causes almost all the ice on the surface of the kingdom to melt, allowing access to more Power Moons. Once Mario has collected enough Power Moons, he can head off to the next kingdom - either the Lake Kingdom or the Wooded Kingdom may be chosen, but not both at this point.

The Sand Kingdom was the first location shown in the game, dating back to the first Nintendo Switch reveal trailer. It is located east of the Cascade Kingdom, southwest of the Lake Kingdom, and northwest of the Wooded Kingdom.

The location is primarily based off of Mesoamerica, particularly Mexico. However, other aspects allude to different countries, with Moe-Eyes inspired by the moai statues from Easter Island and the Jaxis presumably inspired by the komainu from Japan. The name "Tostarena" is probably derived from the Spanish words tostado (meaning "toasted on") and arena (meaning sand).

Concept and creation

Concept art of an early version of Tostarena

Tostarena Town

The gate to Tostarena Ruins

Concept art of locations in Tostarena

Tostarena was based on Mexico because the director of Super Mario Odyssey, Kenta Motokura, liked the country and his trip there had left a strong impression on him. Initially, it was considered whether Tostarena should be visited during the sunset. The sketch of the early design showed that the poncho and sombrero were already considered as the location's typical outfits, even though the motif of the sombrero was different and the poncho was supposed to be worn over Mario's usual suit and to be paired with boots. The concept art already included Tostarena Town, Tostarena Ruins and the Inverted Pyramid, as well as the ice pillars covering parts of the desert. The main visible differences are the town having just two rows of buildings forming one street while featuring a wooden gate at the entrance and the Inverted Pyramid being actually a floating pyramid resembling that of Chichen Itza. Some elements featured in Tostarena were reportedly influenced by Super Mario Land, another game that features desert sphinxes and moai-like beings.

Tostarena Town in particular was designed to create a contrast between the curved lines of the dunes and the more linear design of the buildings. Furthermore, the color of the building was chosen to reflect the cheerful nature of the Tostarenans. The concept art also shows that initially the town was supposed to have a bridge built over a road.

On the other hand, the gate to Tostarena Ruins was designed to resemble an inverted triangle as a recall to the Inverted Pyramid. The concept artwork showed how the Power Moons of Tostarena were initially intended to be red instead of the final green color.

Brochure details

The bright colors of Tostarena.

Tostarenan Town

A small town that serves as the hub for tourists planning to visit the Inverted Pyramid. The colorful buildings and cheerful people provide a warm welcome for visitors. They're happy to provide direction, so don't hesitate to say hello.

The ruins greet you with an impressive gate.

Mysterious Ancient Ruins

Head north from town and you'll be greeted by ancient ruins that dot the expansive desert. Though many have become conflict regions patrolled by Bullet Bills, their status as important heritage sites is undeniable.

Your eye will be drawn to the large stone tower at the heart of the ruins. Due to extensive hollowing underground, quicksand has become prevalent in this area, so watch out.

Like a precious gem itself.

Inverted Pyramid

The true "can't miss" of this region, the Inverted Pyramid may look unstable, but rest assured it never topples and has thrilled tourists for years. It is said that a legendary artifact called the Binding Band lies within, and the upside-down pyramid symbolizes how those joined by it will never part even if the world turns upside down.

Payment required in advance.

Jaxi

Let's have a look at the curious local transport method known as the Jaxi.

Just hop on the back of one, and as you might guess from their appearance, you'll be in for a wild but completely reliable ride.

Make good use of them and you'll be exploring this unforgiving desert in comfort and style.

So beautiful you'll think you're at a resort.

Living Heart of the Desert

Here's a spot to moisten your dried and withered heart, with greenery and water to make you forget you're in the desert. The fish and birds are plentiful and well worth a visit.

The Moe-Eyes love their shades.

They'll run if chased, but they're a proud people who have long inhabited these ruins. Please be polite.

Three Keys to the Kingdom

1. Enjoy the small but lively desert village and its charming inhabitants.
2. Wonder at the Inverted Pyramid and its upside-down magic.
3. Watch for the gem iconography carved in relief on the ruins.

Map

• Tostarena Town
• Tostarena Ruins Entrance
• Tostarena Ruins Sand Pillar
• Tostarena Ruins Round Tower
• Moe-Eye Habitat
• Jaxi Ruins
• Tostarena Northwest Reaches
• Desert Oasis
• Southwestern Floating Island (painting)
• The Inverted Pyramid

Bonus areas

Bonus area	Accessed via	Location	Description
Sand Kingdom Slots Room	Door	In the building east of the Tostarena Town fountain	A small room with a slots minigame. Three of the same picture must be lined up to win.
Ice Cave	Sinkhole	At the northeastern part of Tostarena Ruins	An underground area with icy, narrow platforms and moving columns.
Sphynx's Treasure Vault	Sphynx	Behind Tostarena Ruins	A small, golden treasure vault with many Coin Stacks and a treasure chest containing a Power Moon. Mario can only access this room after answering the Sphynx's question correctly. The coins do not reappear if Mario revisits the vault after he has already collected them.
Rumbling Floor Room	Warp Pipe	On the balcony of the pink building northwest of the Tostarena Town fountain	A small room where the player must locate a Power Moon by feeling a vibration from the floor through the controller.
Dance Room	Locked door guarded by a Tostarenan	In the small tower at Tostarena Town's northwestern corner	A small room with dancing Tostarenans where Mario performs a song on the stage to earn a Power Moon. Mario can only enter this room while wearing the sombrero and poncho or the Skeleton Suit.
The Invisible Maze	Red door	Northeast of Moe-Eye Habitat on the other side of the chasm	A temple-like area featuring an invisible path within corridors filled with poison and Moe-Eyes, which Mario must capture to reveal the path forward.
The Bullet Bill Maze	Red door	At the Tostarena Northwest Reaches	A maze-like area filled with poison which Mario must capture a Bullet Bill to traverse.
Jaxi Ruins Underground	Tunnel	Underneath the Jaxi Ruins Checkpoint Flag	An underground temple-like area filled with poison which Mario must ride a Jaxi to traverse.
The Strange Neighborhood	Mini Rocket	On the northeastern building of Tostarena Town	A platforming area featuring rotating building-like structures. When Mario arrives, he must throw Cappy onto a scarecrow to activate a road leading to the rotating platforms, then traverse them without Cappy's help.
The Transparent Platforms	Moon Pipe	On the left raised platform in front of Tostarena Town	A narrow area featuring invisible platforms and lifts over a wide chasm through which Mario must travel as a Moe-Eye.
Colossal Ruins	Moon Pipe	At the Tostarena Ruins Entrance	After capturing a spark pylon, Mario will arrive at a racetrack-like area over a sea of poison featuring several Rocket Flowers which Mario must use to get a Power Moon at the end, as well as grabbing a key to reveal another Power Moon before the ruins completely sink into the poison.
Freezing Waterway	Moon Pipe	At the northeastern edge of the desert, east of the Inverted Pyramid and the Underground Temple entrance	A tunnel-like area featuring pools of both poison and cold water. It also features Gushens, which Mario must capture to traverse. There are several places of cold water so Mario can regenerate the Gushen's water reserve.

Enemies and obstacles

Enemies marked with an asterisk (*) are only found in bonus areas.

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  Goombas

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  Mini Goombas

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  Bullet Bills

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  8-bit Bullet Bills

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  8-bit Goombas

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  Coin Coffers

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  Chinchos

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  Pulse Beams

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  Gushens*

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  Hariet (boss)

• Knucklotec Artwork SMO.jpg

  Knucklotec (boss)

Objectives

1. Atop the Highest Tower: The goal is to reach the top of the tower in the Tostarena Ruins.
2. Moon Shards in the Sand: The goal is to collect the Moon Shards on the west side of the kingdom.
3. Showdown on the Inverted Pyramid: The goal is to reach the top of the Inverted Pyramid and defeat Hariet.
4. The Hole in the Desert: This objective takes place at night. The goal is to enter the hole beneath the Inverted Pyramid and defeat Knucklotec.

Paintings

The painting that leads to the Metro Kingdom

There are two paintings in this kingdom. One can be found near the east side of the Tostarena Ruins, in a tilted pillar next to a Jaxi calling post. The painting leads to the Isolated Rooftop at the Metro Kingdom. It can only be accessed after completing the "Showdown on the Inverted Pyramid" mission.

The other painting is located at the Southwestern Floating Island, which can be accessed from the Wooded Kingdom or the Lake Kingdom.

Power Moons

The Sand Kingdom has green Power Moons.

Main article: List of Power Moons in the Sand Kingdom

There are a total of 93 Power Moons (87 regular Power Moons and 2 Multi Moons) in the Sand Kingdom, the second-highest amount in the game after the Mushroom Kingdom. During the player's first visit to this kingdom, they can collect 59 of the Power Moons and the 2 Multi Moons. The player can also collect a Power Moon if they travel to this kingdom using a painting found in a future kingdom (either the Lake or Wooded Kingdom). One additional Power Moon can also be found when the player encounters the Desert Wanderer in the kingdom (after meeting him in all of the other locations he appears in). After the player defeats Bowser in the Moon Kingdom, 6 more Power Moons become available to collect. The Moon Rock will also be available to destroy, causing 20 additional Power Moons to be accessible.

In order to progress to the next kingdom, the player must collect at least 16 Power Moons.

Regional coins

Main article: List of regional coins in the Sand Kingdom

The Sand Kingdom contains 100 regional coins, which take the form of triangles with designs of the Inverted Pyramid engraved on them.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

Main article: Secret of the Inverted Pyramid

A new level inspired by the Sand Kingdom appears in the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Switch versions of Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, which features miniature versions of the Tostarena Ruins, Inverted Pyramid and ice cave. Bullet Bills and Goombas appear as enemies in the level. A Pull Switch can be found on top of the Inverted Pyramid which causes it to rise from the ground and turn the level to nighttime.

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  The Tostarena Ruins

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  The Inverted Pyramid

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  The ice cave

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  The level at night

The Sand Kingdom also appears after the credits, where Captain Toad and Toadette arrive in a minecart. The Odyssey flies over, and Captain Toad chases after it.

The kingdom is accidentally referred to as the Desert Kingdom in the Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker overview trailer, posted by Nintendo on their North American YouTube channel.

Gallery

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  Sand Kingdom icon

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  Tostarena sticker

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  Pyramid-shaped coin

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  Pyramid-shaped currency icon

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  Pyramid-shaped currency icon

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  8-bit Pyramid-shaped coin

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  Clear 8-bit Pyramid-shaped coin

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  Postcard for the Sand Kingdom as seen on the game's preliminary packaging

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  The Odyssey landing in the Sand Kingdom

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  Mario and Cappy

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  The Sand Kingdom

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  Mario heading to Tostarena Town

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  Local Tostarenans

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  Tostarena Town's Crazy Cap shop

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  The Crazy Cap building

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  Mario passing by a Tostarenan

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  Mario playing a guitar

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  Mini Goombas pursing Mario

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  Mario capturing a Goomba

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  8-bit section in Tostarena Ruins

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  Bowser's airship above the Inverted Pyramid

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  The Broodals in their airship

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  Mario riding a Jaxi through the desert

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  Mario riding a Jaxi through the desert

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  Tostarena Town at night

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  Knucklotec attacking Mario

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  Mario standing next to an 8-bit Luigi

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  The full Japanese brochure for the Sand Kingdom

• SMO Nintendo Wallpaper 1.jpg

  Promotional wallpaper

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  A Japanese commercial promoting the Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary

Names in other languages

Sand Kingdom

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	砂の国[?] Suna no kuni	Sand Country
Chinese (simplified)	沙之国[?] Shā zhī guó	Sand Country
Chinese (traditional)	沙之國[?] Shā zhī guó	Sand Country
Dutch	Woestijnrijk[?]	Desert Realm
German	Wüstenland[?]	Desert Country
Italian	Regno delle Sabbie[?]	Sands Kingdom
Korean	모래 왕국[?] Morae Wangguk	Sand Kingdom
Russian	Песчаное царство[?] Peschanoye tsarstvo	Sand Kingdom
Spanish	Reino de las Arenas[?]	Sands Kingdom

Tostarena

Language	Name	Meaning	Notes
Japanese	アッチーニャ Acchīnya	From acchicchi, an expression for something hot or burning
Chinese (simplified)	阿炽尼亚[?] Āchìníyǎ	From of the Japanese name. 炽/熾 (chì) also means "burning hot".
Chinese (traditional)	阿熾尼亞[?] Āchìníyǎ	Same as in simplified Chinese
Dutch	Zonnesteekstad[?]	Sunstroke City
German	Brutzelebene[?]	Sizzle Plain
Italian	Tostalandia[?]	From Tostarena and the suffix -landia ("land")
Korean	아뜨레나[?] Atteurena	From 아뜨/아뜨뜨 (an expression for something hot or burning) and "arena"
Russian	Тостарена[?] Tostarena	Tostarena
Spanish	Soltitlán[?]	From the Spanish sol ("sun") and Nahuatl suffix -titlán ("place of"), which is commonly found in town names in Mexico and northern countries from Central America like Guatemala.