GCN Dry Dry Desert
- Not to be confused with Wii Dry Dry Ruins.
| Dry Dry Desert | |||
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| Information | |||
| Appears in | Mario Kart: Double Dash!! (2003) Mario Kart 8 (2014) Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (2017) | ||
| Cup(s) | Mushroom Cup (Double Dash!!) Banana Cup (8, 8 Deluxe) Battle Mode (8) | ||
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Dry Dry Desert is the fourth and last race of the Mushroom Cup in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. It reappears as a classic course in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as the first course of the Banana Cup, as well as a battle course in Mario Kart 8.
This is the first course in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! that is not owned by a character or characters. It is also one of three courses in Mario Kart: Double Dash!! to have unique music which is not shared with any other course, the others being Sherbet Land and Rainbow Road.
Course layout
The track starts crossing a stone arch where the starting line is located. The course is located in a burning desert containing many Egyptian-themed elements like pyramids, obelisks showing pictures of multiple characters carved in the stone, and large stone statues. 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 they plan to cut through this area. There is also a large tornado that roams the track in the reverse direction, and can suck up racers into the sky.
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 lures any racer into the center of it. If the players reaches the bottom, they are eaten by the Pit 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 are two statues and a curve right. Two Pokeys are standing next to each other with a Double 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 Big Pokey can first be seen and after, two Big Pokeys with Item Boxes directly next to them.
Past 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.
Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Dry Dry Desert reappears in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe as the first course of the Banana Cup. The structure serving as the starting banner has been slightly updated, now featuring four flags and only one Mario Kart logo instead of three. The course now features a more slope-like design, and the palm trees and advertisement boards have switched positions. The characters that were carved in stone have been removed. All of the statues, including the Sphinx, have been reworked to resemble Hammer Bros., with the latter sporting a Wiggler headdress. 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). Because of this, only the Pokeys on the S-turns at the start of the course (which now sport their current design) are present. Falling pillars from Dry Dry Ruins are also seen in this course. The tornado, Pit Plant, and Big Pokeys have been removed (with the Pit Plant being replaced by Lakitu, who pulls the player out of the pit).
Dry Dry Desert also appears on some of the posters for the Galaxy Air sponsor in Sunshine Airport. As well, in Mario Kart 8, this course is one of the eight selectable battle courses.
Shortcuts
- After getting out of the water, it is possible to skip the turn by turning right and using Mushrooms or a Star.
Staff ghost
The staff ghost for this track is Peach on the Standard Bike, with a time of 2:29.678. In Mario Kart 8 Deluxe 200cc, the ghost is Lemmy Koopa with a time of 1:45.087.
Profiles
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- North American website bio: "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."
- European website bio: "Dodge the kart-spinning cyclones and deadly pools of quicksand, and don’t be distracted by hieroglyphics of Mario and co."
Mario Kart 8
- 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."[1]
Mario Kart 8 Original Soundtrack liner notes
"With the HD graphics, the sense of a parched bone-dry desert has become even more pronounced than in the last Mario Kart title, and we arranged the music to reflect this. The insistent feel of the melody is meant to represent the ever-lovable Pokeys."
Sponsors
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- Danger!!! (Signs)
- KoopaKart (Trackside banners)
- Mario Racing (Trackside banners)
- Shoot!! (Trackside banners)
- Sunshine Parts (Signs)
- Super Mario Kart (Signs)
- Super Mushroom (Trackside banners)
Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Red Shell Strike Equipment (Signs)
- Sunshine Parts (Signs)
Gallery
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
The course logo
A series of turns after the first turn
Avoiding the tornado
A large area with hills and Pokeys
One turn can be bypassed with a Mushroom boosted shortcut
Another shortcut exists near a sign that reads "Sunshine Parts"
In a split-screen race, Pokeys are less abundant, and the rocks are lacking noses
The Pit Plant lives inside the quicksand pit
Pre-release screenshot of the course
Mario Kart 8 / Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
The course icon
The course, as seen from the starting line
Rosalina drifts at a portion of the course
Toad, approaching the underwater section of the course
The underwater section of the course
The course as a battle course in Mario Kart 8
A pre-release screenshot of Waluigi racing through the course in the E3 trailer
A pre-release screenshot of Wario drifting in the E3 trailer
A pre-release screenshot of Peach racing on a bike surrounded by the other characters
A released screenshot of the course, revealing the name of the track
Postcard image from Facebook
The stamp obtained for beating the staff ghost at this course
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | カラカラさばく[?] Kara Kara Sabaku |
Dry Dry Desert | |
| Chinese (simplified) | 干旱沙漠[?] Gānhàn Shāmò |
Dry Desert | |
| Chinese (traditional) | 乾旱沙漠[?] Gānhàn Shāmò |
Dry Desert | |
| Dutch | Zinderende Zandvlakte[?] | Sizzling Sandplains | |
| German | Staubtrockene Wüste[?] | Dust-Dry Desert | |
| Italian | Desertico Deserto[?] | Desertic Desert | |
| Korean | 바싹바싹 사막[?] Bassakbassak Samak |
Dry Dry Desert | |
| Portuguese | Areias Desertas[?] | Deserted Sands | |
| Russian | Иссушенная пустыня[?] Issushennaya pustynya |
Seared Desert | |
| Spanish (NOA) | Desierto Seco[?] | Dry Desert | |
| Spanish (NOE) | Desierto Seco-Seco[?] | Dry Dry Desert |
Trivia
- This course and SNES Donut Plains 3 are the only non-DLC classic courses in Mario Kart 8 to not feature Glide Ramps.
- Coincidentally, both are in the Banana Cup. They are also both battle courses.
