Sand Geysers (also called Sand Spouts, Sand Bursts, Sand Fountains, or Sand Pillars) are bursts of sand that occur periodically from quicksand or desert cliffs. They work as a temporary platform allowing players to cross chasms. They eventually die down before coming back. Sand Geysers are mainly only found in deserts and act similarly to Waterspouts and the dangerous Lava Plumes.
Sand geysers announce their arrival with sand being thrown out of their location, followed by the geysers themselves erupting and carrying everything below them to the top.
History[]
New Super Mario Bros. Wii[]
Sand Geysers are first seen in New Super Mario Bros. Wii as a common periodic platform appearing in World 2 levels World 2-1 and World 2-5. They work as platforms for navigating the levels. Sand Geysers burst from the ground and emerge periodically allowing Mario and the others to hop on before they recede. If Mario, or anyone else jumps straight into a Sand Geyser, they will be slowly carried to the top by the force of the sand. Sand Geysers are also seen on the World Map of World 2 (bursting periodically next to World 2-1 and acting as paths to World 2-Castle from World 2-5. Sand Geysers are also seen in Coin Battle in World Coin-4 in the desert caverns of that level.
New Super Mario Bros. U/New Super Luigi U/New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe[]
Sand Geysers appear again in New Super Mario Bros. U as well as New Super Luigi U and New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe. In these games, they are commonly found in desert levels such as Spike's Spouting Sands and Blooming Lakitus, being slightly more common than in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Sand Geysers function the same way they did before and also appear alongside the Waterspout. Just as before, one can be carried to the top of the Sand Geyser by walking into them.
Super Mario Odyssey[]
Sand Geysers return in their first 3D appearance Super Mario Odyssey. In this game, they are now a more reddish-brown color (as the sand they burst from is reddish-brown). Sand Geysers are seen in the Sand Kingdom around the quicksand near the ancient temple. The Sand Geysers can be used as platforms to reach farther walkways. Once again, walking into one will carry Mario to the top.
Paper Mario series[]
Paper Mario: Sticker Star[]
Sand Geysers appear in Paper Mario: Sticker Star only appearing in World 2. In this game, they appear to be more solid as they now act like walls when walked into (no longer hoisting Mario to the top). They now need to be jumped directly on top, Sand Geysers are commonly seen in Sandshifter Ruins at various parts of the maze. They elevate a bit and then spring high into the air. When Mario jumps on one and is on one when it zooms up, he can use them to spring back to aboveground. A Sand Geyser is also seen in the underground section of Drybake Desert where it springs Mario back to land.
Mario Kart series[]
Mario Kart 8/Mario Kart 8 Deluxe[]
A Sand Geyser appears in Mario Kart 8 and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe in the course Bone-Dry Dunes. In this game, it is seen fountaining from the quicksand at the Gliding section. the Sand Geyser has a single Coin at it's tip which can be collected, landing on the Sand Geyser will spring players higher allowing them to access the upper paths of the desert cave.