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Dry Dry Desert is a race course in Mario Kart: Double Dash!!. It is the fourth and last stage of the Mushroom Cup, and may be based on an area of the same name from Paper Mario. It reappears as a Retro Cup in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, as the first course of the Banana Cup, as well as a battle stage in Mario Kart 8.
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. 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 New Super Mario Bros. Wii appearance) 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.
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.
Official Descriptions
Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- Official Website: "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."
- Official European Website: "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]
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)
Trivia
- This track and SNES Donut Plains 3 are the only non-DLC retro courses in Mario Kart 8 to not involve air gliding. Both take place in the Banana Cup.
- The pyramids in this course can be seen in the background of Luigi Circuit.
