Top 10 Video Game Desert Levels

These environments were tons of fun, as long as you don’t mind some sand in your boots. Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down the top 10 sand and desert levels in video games.

For this list, we ranked the best game levels or sections of games that take place in a desert or desert themed area. You should know the drill by now, one area per franchise.

We’re kicking things off with a fantastic stage in this colorful 3D platformer by Rare. Hopping around the pyramids, sphinxes, and magic carpets to collect the ten jigsaw puzzles in this stage, you smash a Camel’s hump to water a tree, poop eggs into a snake charmer’s basket and find many hidden secrets within the Pyramids. Thankfully, our friend Bottles was there to give Kazooie the Turbo Trainers, which made her talon trot faster and helped her speed through the sand.

Here’s a world that wasn’t always a desert, but it sure was by the time we got to exploring it in the addictive action-platformer. The nefarious company Megacorp pillaged its natural resources and turned its gorgeous rainforests into arid terrain. Regardless, they weren’t able to take away any of the entertainment value of navigating through it, even when the annoying Dune Crawlers got in our way. Anyway, it was all worth it when we got our hands on Tabora’s many Desert Crystals.

Many a fond memory was created on this final race of the Mushroom Cup. Though it was critical to keep track of your opponents and the Red Shells which they hit you with, it was even more important to make sure you didn’t get hit by either of the two trains, which would throw you in the air, and remember to stay out of the really soft sand. The track made a return in Mario Kart 7 on the 3DS, now with added ramps for those who used their mushrooms right.

This action-adventure game was known for its epic battles with these majestic titans, and Phalanx, The 13th Colossus located in this area is by far the longest one there is, at over 550 feet long. Once you hit him a few times with arrows, you can jump on his fins and go for a ride, getting an awe inspiring view of the desert below you. Outside of Phalanx this area retains an unsolved mystery that still has fans scratching their heads in the form of these Desert Rings, what are they for?

It’s no surprise that this level made our list, since it made for one of the important settings in film history throughout the “Star Wars” saga, but it was particularly well integrated into this action RPG. As you travel across the dunes, trying to learn about Star Forge, you can always go take a break and have classic Star Wars experiences by hanging out in a cantina. Plus it’s pretty priceless to see HK-47 chatting with the infamous Tuskan Raiders.

Our pick for the greatest game of all time, and this level is an important part of its legacy. The area is split into 3 main areas, The thieves hideout of the Gerudo Fortress, the sandstorm ridden Haunted Wasteland, which has River of Sand quicksand pits, and the Desert Colossus, home of the Spirit Temple. As tough as it is, traversing the level is more than worth your while thanks to the gorgeous music and unforgettable atmosphere.

This open world western title is famous for having one of the best stories in all of video games, and some of its most thrilling moments with the Mexican Revolutionists take place here, in a region called Nuevo Paraíso, which translates into “New Paradise”. Upon arriving in the country, you’re treated to the song “Far Away” playing in the background while the sandy terrain is the perfect place to show off your horseback riding skills, which you’ll need cause even though you may be south of the boarder, its still the wild west out there.

Mario games are known by now to have a desert stage as standard, but none have been more memorable than this one. As you run and jump your way across the burning hot sand, staying out of the quicksand and avoiding a twister, yo then have to face The Sun itself as it constantly swoops down at you trying to take you out, and you’ll need all you can get to stay out of the way. Of course, the level is also filled with more common Mario enemies, like Paratroopas and Piranha Plants. But fighting the sun? That’s crazy.

Even with all of the epic locations throughout Kratos’s unforgettable quest for revenge, this desert level is among the most impressive. You encounter the massive titan Cronos, who has a temple chained to his back. Before you find Cronos however, you have to hunt for and kill three Sirens, which is not an easy task when you’re trying to do it amongst sandstorms this rough, making it especially hard to keep an eye on your surroundings.

Before we get to our number one, let’s take a look at some honorable mentions:

The Desert
“Disney’s Aladdin” (1993)

Route 111
“Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald” (2003)

Desert of Didgeridoos
“Rayman Origins” (2011)

Titania
“Star Fox 64” (1997)

There’s no good place to be stranded after a plane crash, but if you get stuck here, at least you’ve got some gorgeous scenery to appreciate. After protagonist Nathan Drake survives an aerial wreck, he’s left to wander through this brutally hot but undeniably beautiful location. It’s so realistic that you’re probably going to need some water when you play it, especially when Nate starts to see mirage’s in the desert as he struggles across the vast landscape. Being the most iconic scene in this iconic game made this level a clear choice for the Top Spot.

Do you agree with our list? Which desert level made you okay with getting sand in your shoes? For more blazing top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.