Summary
Throughout the history of video games, deserts have often been a common biome in many popular franchises as well as stand-alone games. Whether it be narrowly avoiding quicksand, scaling the edge of a pyramid, or trekking across a vast open wasteland, these games allow players to become immersed in a new locale. Many classic 2D games contain simple yet memorable sandy levels, and countless action-adventure and 3D platformers alike now frequently use this biome.
A desert locale presents players with a unique and challenging setting since, especially in more recent games, they incorporate realistic elements. From theuse of traditional instrumentationto deadly heat stroke and snakes, players get a glimpse into a real-life desert setting. On the other hand, games set in fictional locations still use authentic elements, such as a blazing sun, pyramid structures, and canyons. These features have served to create some of the greatest level-specific deserts in gaming history.
This game instantly stands out as iconic for its surreal art style. In the desert biome, Kirby is able to travel in sinking sand to reach lower areas, which contain hidden collectibles. Althoughthis 2D platforming levelis relatively simple and gentle-moving, the dune buggy segment towards the end forces players to pick up the pace to beat the other racers.
Kirby is able to interact with the backdrop by hitting switches, which reveal new areas to explore. This game is a great way to introduce new players to the essence of desert levels in video games.
This desert level introduces a new ability, able to be equipped by using Lani-Loli. This allows players to find new platforms by jumping and spinning, some of which reveal extra collectibles. The player progresses through the desert, jumping over tin cans and narrowly dodging the sand fish. Grind rails then come into play, where the player must ride over or under various obstacles.
In the industrial segment, a bonus area can be unlocked, where it’s possible to obtain more collectibles by jumping on top of narrow rocks and crates at a much greater height. Players need quicker reactions toward the end of the level when the Lani-Loli ability must be used to obtain the hidden gem. Fans of the 3D platforming genre are sure to love this stage for its aesthetically-pleasing graphics anddecent amount of challenge.
The 3rd game in theSuper Mariofranchise, released for the NES console, is the second to feature a desert world. Fans will remember this course in particular, most likely due to the “Angry Sun” that stares at players as they control Mario.
In this level, though, despite how players can seemingly rush through it with well-timed jumps over the quicksand, they’re forced to slow down in some cases. This is because of common enemies like Koopa Troopas and even the Sun itself, which starts to attack Mario. Players must avoid its attacks until they reach the Power-Up Box at the end of the level.
Sonic Unleashedtakes biomes to the next level and sees Sonic on his first round-the-world journey.With this game being the first mainline Sonic title to utilize the “Boost” Mode, players are able to speed through the local town and ancient desert structures at rocket speeds. The additional wall-running, 2D platforming, and rail-grinding segments allow players to interact with canyons, crumbling pillars, and other architecture.
“Arid Sands"is accompanied by an energetic and authentic piece of music, which consists of a wide range of traditional Middle-Eastern instruments.This tune, composed by Tomoya Ohtani, is iconicand the most fast-paced musical theme in the entire game. Though the level is quite short overall, it’s a high-speed, thrilling ride through a stage with graphics that are still stellar today.
This 1993 video game, closely following the events of the Disney animated film one year prior, is a great and innovative way for players to interact with a desert biome. Players control Aladdin and are tasked with scaling across ropes and attacking the guards of Agrabah to clear the stage and collect as many apples as possible. Sometimes, players can jump on camels to attack enemies.
Disney fans will love the hidden Easter Eggs contained in this short level - from Iago the parrot and a Genie-shaped vase to the Mickey Mouse item on the washing line.This Sega Genesis gamewas ahead of its time in terms of graphics and mechanics and remains an iconic favorite among classic platformers today.
Embracing the franchise’s original 2D platforming style,Sonic Maniafeatures a total of 13 levels, some new and others reimagined. One original level is “Mirage Saloon”, which has a perfect blend of vibrancy and color within its Wild West aesthetic. After the Tornado crashes, Sonic and Tails are forced to cross the desert and enter the saloon. Pinball-style bumpers throw Sonic’up, down and all around’this wacky stage.
A unique feature in this level is the pistol launchers Sonic can jump into, which either shoot him further across the stage or give him a speed boost.For fans of this Act’s music, it even makes a reappearance as a “Sound Memory” inSonic Frontiers.
Super Mario 64was a revolutionary, and arguably still one of the best, 3D platformers. The first 3D desert level in the franchise does not disappoint. In “Shifting Sand Land”, players can experience a new perspective on Mario’s interaction with quicksand and familiar desert enemies like Pokeys or new ones like Klepto the Condor. With the “Wing Cap” Power-Up new to this game, Mario can get a bird’s eye view of the entire desert.
On top of that, Mario now has the chance to scale the pyramid and explore inside it. This level offers an exciting yet tense climb through the pyramid’s interior to get the Power Star at the top. Well-timed jumps are required, especially to avoid enemies like Spindels and Amps.
Nostalgic and hilarious, this game contains quite a few levels that take place on the sandy world of Tatooine, from"Mos Espa Podrace"in Episode 1 to"The Great Pit of Carkoon"in Episode 6. However, this level from Episode 4 allows players to experience the planet the most. Starting off, players get to wander through the desert, weaving through shadowy canyons and avoiding gunshots from the native Tusken Raiders. As players progress further, they can explore the instantly recognizable Sandcrawler.
From riding Luke’s beloved landspeeder through the open wasteland, to building Lego bridges from the towering cliffs, players work their way towards the iconic Lars homestead. This level is instantly replayable, with Challenge and Freeplay mode, where players can explore even more of Tatooine in search of collectibles and solve extra puzzles. The game is a fun classic, especially in Co-Op mode.
Many fans will remember this level, as it’s one of the few desert stages in the entire franchise. The graphics are spectacular for the era it was made, with added 3D weather effects, which make the environments more immersive. This biome also has common features like quicksand, rattlesnakes, and canyons, adding an overall sense of realism.
Players must control Lara Croft through many tiny caverns throughout the wasteland, many of which contain important collectibles or secrets that are cleverly disguised within the background. Like most levelsin this franchise, “Nevada Desert” contains challenging puzzles to work out in order for players to progress. An iconic segment is when Lara must use a quad bike to infiltrate Area 51.
Uncharted 3’s stunning graphics are likely to be the most effective at immersing players right into the heart of a desert. “Chapter 18” takes place when Nathan gets stranded in the desert via a plane crash. Players are forced to explore its vast openness. As Nathan becomes exhausted from the trek and suffers heat stroke, he starts to see mirages. This gives players a realistic experience, which serves to develop the level and location even more.
Players start to hear the voice of the game’s antagonist, Katherine Marlowe, reciting words from T.S Elliot’s poemThe Waste Land.Thisfurther immerses players in Nathan’s confusion as he becomes lost in the harsh desert. Nathan’s struggle eventually ends when he reaches the settlement, but the incredible and realistic journey through the desert in this action-adventure game will stay in player’s minds long after.
