Desert levels have had their place in the Super Mario series dating all the way back to Super Mario Bros. 2 in 1988. And running across these levels to reach Princess Peach hasn’t seemed to get any easier. Desert levels feature a mix of unique and classic enemies. Pokeys will likely be encountered on your journey as well as Goombas, Koopas, and Hammer Bros.
Deserts in the franchise always have a sandy terrain and are typically accompanied by pyramids, rising sand platforms, quicksand, cacti, and virtually anything else you’d picture in a Super Mario desert level. The deserts in these games are some of the greatest in gaming, so here are the best deserts in the franchise.
10 Sand Kingdom: Super Mario Odyssey
The Sand Kingdom is the second kingdom you venture into with Cappy, following the Cascade Kingdom. It’s a gorgeous area of the game that takes you away from the typically hot environment and into the cold. The red sand is also unique for the series, separating the kingdom from the common desert colors.
Tosterena Town is a highlight of the area with colorful architecture, giant crystals of ice, and friendly locals. The residents are so affected by the cold temperatures that their maracas shake involuntarily. But despite the cold, it's likely the most attractive level on this list.
9 World 2: Super Mario Bros. 2
Going all the way back to 1988, Super Mario Bros. 2’s desert levels mark the significant changes made to this environment. Snakes are unique here, as they aren’t the typical enemy you face. A dangerous snake can be in your presence at any moment, whether they’re emerging from the sand and leaping toward you or popping out of vases to shoot rocks at you.
Though not the most visually impressive, you’re also able to see the desert with a starry night sky, which is a nice change from the usual daytime setting.
8 Dry Dry Ruins: Mario Kart Wii
Taking inspiration from ancient Egyptian architecture, Dry Dry Ruins takes you through temples and beyond a giant Yoshi Sphinx, and Pokeys trying to stop you in your tracks. The track runs right through the ruins, making you feel like you’re on an archeological adventure.
With narrow passageways, sand falling from the ceiling, bats flying about, and torches adorning the course, it's exciting to navigate while racing against your competitors. It might even make you wonder how these ruins came to be.
7 Dusty Dune Galaxy: Super Mario Galaxy
If you've played Super Mario Galaxy, you’ll know there are absolutely no limits to the environments you’ll visit. The Dusty Dune Galaxy is home to its own unique desert, where you’ll now have to worry about more than sinking into quicksand. Soaring on the Desert Winds is a windy area filled with black holes and sand twisters. Using the wind from the sand twisters is your only way across the sand without sinking, which adds a fun element to traversing the dusty ground.
6 Kalimari Desert: Mario Kart N64
As one of the older courses in the series, the Kalimari Desert is a classic that’s been remade time and time again. The environment resembles something you might see in Utah or Nevada in the United States.
The course is built around train tracks in which you have to avoid getting hit by the train running through the area. The N64 version prompts you to brake before the train passes by. Hopefully, your competitors won’t think to slow down, giving you the perfect head start after the train passes.
5 Shifting Sand Land: Super Mario 64 DS
Covered in large dunes and pyramids, Super Mario 64 is the first of the classic games that allows you to really explore the desert. A wide range of enemies can be found in this small condensed space like Pokeys, Buzzars, Bob-ombs, and Thwomps.
Despite not taking place in outer space, the level defies gravity, as the large pyramid sits on top of quicksand without sinking. Once you enter the pyramid, you’ll encounter a creepy, ancient pair of brick hands with eyes. The eyes are only here as weak spots, because how else would you take down giant brick hands?
4 Shy Guy Bazaar: Mario Kart
The vast majority of desert levels in the franchise are set during the day, so Shy Guy Bazaar is a rare treat. The course cuts through a village with starry skies and string lights overhead. It feels like the type of place you’d want to take an after-dinner stroll.
Shy Guy Bazaar’s surrounding area may look familiar with Moroccan architecture and Shy Guys cruising by on magic flying blankets.
3 World 2: New Super Mario Bros. DS And Wii
The deserts of World 2 reappear in New Super Mario Bros. DS and Wii. The 2006 and 2009 games are a significant upgrade from the older installment in 1989. Despite all being World 2, each world begins differently in each game.
The DS game enables you to avoid or squash the Pokeys that completely litter this world. The level gets gradually more difficult as you’ll need to get by them while navigating moving platforms. On the Wii, you’ll have to traverse spouts of sands that rise just as quickly as they fall.
2 The Sands Of Yold: Super Paper Mario
It’s not often that you’re told how the changing environments affect Mario. The level opens with a sneeze as Mario’s nose is irritated by the sand. In Super Paper Mario, Mario and Tippi cross a long stretch of sand dunes, adorned with palm trees and crawling with enemies, and of course, more quicksand.
The area has plenty of hidden spots that force you to be as thorough as possible in order to get by. And the Goombas can also switch between dimensions just like you, which makes getting through much more challenging.
1 Cheese Land: Mario Kart 8
Just when things couldn’t get any weirder, Mario Kart GBA and Mario Kart 8 top their predecessors. Welcome to Cheese Land, a desert that’s inspired by dairy products. The track itself has divots, resembling Swiss cheese, and the cheesy rock walls surrounding it tower high above the course, while giant pizzas are seen in the distance.
It’s unclear whether you’re actually driving on cheese or if the land just looks like cheese, but either way, you’ll probably finish this course hungry.