Sunbaked Desert is World 4 in Super Mario Bros. Wonder, a sprawling sandy world of rolling Armads, sand geysers, switch dungeons, sky-high Bloomps, and the haunted Shova Mansion. This guide covers all 37 collectibles – the 36 regular Wonder Seeds (including both Poplin Shops) plus the Royal Seed – course by course, mostly from our own gameplay footage.
Quick Overview
| Game | Super Mario Bros. Wonder |
|---|---|
| Area / Level | Sunbaked Desert (World 4) |
| Total | 36 Wonder Seeds + 1 Royal Seed |
| Best Route | Armads on the Roll -> The Desert Mystery -> Rolling-Ball Hall -> Bloomps of the Desert Skies -> Color-Switch Dungeon -> Secrets of Shova Mansion -> Sunbaked Desert Palace |
Wonder Seed Locations
Armads on the Roll
Seeds in this course2 seeds
- ✓Seed #1 · Wonder Effect
- ✓Seed #2 · Course Clear
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #1 · Wonder Effect
Finish the Speed Wonder Effect
- Grab the yellow Wonder Flower next to the Pokey about three quarters through the course.
- The Wonder Effect makes everything race at high speed; keep running right and stay ahead of the rolling Armads.
- Reach the Wonder Seed at the end of the speed section.
Wonder Seed #2 · Course Clear
Reach the Armads on the Roll Goal Pole
Touch the Goal Pole for the Course Clear Wonder Seed.
The Desert Mystery
Seeds in this course2 seeds
- ✓Seed #3 · Wonder Effect
- ✓Seed #4 · Course Clear
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #3 · Wonder Effect
Chase the Fleeing Wonder Seed
- Pull the handle inside the dungeon to reveal the Wonder Flower.
- The Wonder Effect speeds everything up and a spiked wall closes in while the Wonder Seed flees ahead.
- Pull the next handle, race upward, and grab the Wonder Seed in the upper-left room.
Wonder Seed #4 · Course Clear
Reach The Desert Mystery Goal Pole
Touch the Goal Pole to receive the Course Clear Wonder Seed.
Rolling-Ball Hall
Seeds in this course2 seeds
- ✓Seed #5 · Wonder Effect
- ✓Seed #6 · Course Clear
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #5 · Wonder Effect
Collect the Five Wonder Tokens
- Grab the Wonder Flower to tilt the hall and turn it golden.
- Giant rolling spiked balls smash the blocks; run from them as the tilt direction changes.
- Collect all five Wonder Tokens to make the Wonder Seed appear, then grab it.
Wonder Seed #6 · Course Clear
Reach the Rolling-Ball Hall Goal Pole
Touch the Goal Pole for the Course Clear Wonder Seed.
Ninji Jump Party
Seeds in this course2 seeds
- ✓Seed #7 · Wonder Effect
- ✓Seed #8 · Course Clear
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #7 · Wonder Effect
Dance with the Ninji Jump Party
- Reach the Wonder Flower in the middle of the course.
- The Wonder Effect starts a synchronized Ninji jumping dance; ride and bounce along with them.
- Collect the Wonder Seed at the end of the dance.
Wonder Seed #8 · Course Clear
Reach the Ninji Jump Party Goal Pole
Touch the Goal Pole for the Course Clear Wonder Seed.
Bloomps of the Desert Skies
Seeds in this course2 seeds
- ✓Seed #9 · Wonder Effect
- ✓Seed #10 · Course Clear
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #9 · Wonder Effect
Ride the Bloomps Wonder Effect
- Find the Wonder Flower among the floating Bloomp balloons.
- The Wonder Effect fills the sky with Bloomps; ride them upward across the gaps.
- Collect the Wonder Seed at the top of the climb.
Wonder Seed #10 · Course Clear
Reach the Bloomps Goal Pole
Touch the Goal Pole for the Course Clear Wonder Seed.
Valley Fulla Snootles
Seeds in this course2 seeds
- ✓Seed #11 · Wonder Effect
- ✓Seed #12 · Course Clear
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #11 · Wonder Effect
Wake the Valley Fulla Snootles
- Reach the Wonder Flower in the snooze-filled valley.
- The Wonder Effect stirs the sleeping Snootles into action; ride the rhythm across the sand.
- Collect the Wonder Seed when the sequence ends.
Wonder Seed #12 · Course Clear
Reach the Valley Fulla Snootles Goal Pole
Touch the Goal Pole for the Course Clear Wonder Seed.
Color-Switch Dungeon
Seeds in this course2 seeds
- ✓Seed #13 · Wonder Effect
- ✓Seed #14 · Course Clear
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #13 · Wonder Effect
Solve the Color-Switch Wonder Effect
- Find the Wonder Flower inside the switch dungeon.
- The Wonder Effect flips the colored blocks in rhythm; time your moves with the switches.
- Reach the Wonder Seed once the pattern is cleared.
Wonder Seed #14 · Course Clear
Reach the Color-Switch Dungeon Goal Pole
Touch the Goal Pole for the Course Clear Wonder Seed.
Secrets of Shova Mansion
Seeds in this course3 seeds
- ✓Seed #15 · Wonder Effect
- ✓Seed #16 · Course Clear
- ✓Seed #17 · Secret Exit
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #15 · Wonder Effect
Push Through the Shova Mansion Wonder Effect
- Find the Wonder Flower inside Shova Mansion.
- The Wonder Effect sets the shoving blocks in motion; ride and push through the shifting rooms.
- Collect the Wonder Seed at the end of the sequence.
Wonder Seed #16 · Course Clear
Reach the Shova Mansion Goal Pole
Touch the Goal Pole for the Course Clear Wonder Seed.
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #17 · Secret Exit
Find the Shova Mansion Secret Exit
- Look for the hidden side room while pushing the shoving blocks.
- Shove a block into the concealed gap to open the secret door.
- Take the secret exit to earn the third Wonder Seed.
Flight of the Bloomps
Seeds in this course2 seeds
- ✓Seed #18 · Wonder Effect
- ✓Seed #19 · Course Clear
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #18 · Wonder Effect
Soar the Flight of the Bloomps
- Reach the Wonder Flower high among the clouds.
- The Wonder Effect launches a long Bloomp flight; ride the balloons across the sky.
- Grab the Wonder Seed at the end of the flight.
Wonder Seed #19 · Course Clear
Reach the Flight of the Bloomps Goal Pole
Touch the Goal Pole for the Course Clear Wonder Seed.
Badge Challenge: Parachute Cap II
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #20 · Badge Challenge
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #20 · Badge Challenge
Complete Parachute Cap II
- Enter the Parachute Cap II badge challenge.
- Use the Parachute Cap badge to glide across the long gaps.
- Reach the goal to earn the Wonder Seed.
Badge Challenge: Crouching High Jump II
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #21 · Badge Challenge
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #21 · Badge Challenge
Complete Crouching High Jump II
- Enter the Crouching High Jump II badge challenge.
- Charge crouching jumps with the badge to reach the high platforms.
- Reach the goal to earn the Wonder Seed.
Expert Badge Challenge: Invisibility I
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #22 · Expert Badge
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #22 · Expert Badge
Complete Invisibility I
- Enter the Expert Invisibility I badge challenge.
- Track Mario through the invisibility badge effect by watching his shadow and the platforms.
- Reach the goal to earn the Wonder Seed.
Break Time! Treasure Vault
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #23 · Break Time
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #23 · Break Time
Crack the Treasure Vault
- Enter the Treasure Vault Break Time course.
- Grab the coins and open the vault as the short timer ticks down.
- Collect the Wonder Seed inside.
Break Time! Raise the Stage
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #24 · Break Time
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #24 · Break Time
Raise the Stage
- Enter the Raise the Stage Break Time course.
- Hit the lift blocks to raise the platforms to the Wonder Seed.
- Climb the raised stage and collect the Wonder Seed.
Break Time! Revver Run
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #25 · Break Time
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #25 · Break Time
Finish the Revver Run
- Enter the Revver Run Break Time course.
- Ride and dodge the spinning Revvers along the track.
- Reach the end and collect the Wonder Seed.
Break Time! Floating Wonder Tokens
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #26 · Break Time
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #26 · Break Time
Collect the Floating Wonder Tokens
- Enter the Floating Wonder Tokens Break Time course.
- Collect all of the floating Wonder Tokens before time runs out.
- Grab them all to reveal the Wonder Seed.
Break Time! Bouncy Tunes
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #27 · Break Time
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #27 · Break Time
Play the Bouncy Tunes
- Enter the Bouncy Tunes Break Time course.
- Bounce across the musical blocks in time with the tune.
- Reach the Wonder Seed at the end.
Break Time! Lights Out
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #28 · Break Time
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #28 · Break Time
Navigate Lights Out
- Enter the Lights Out Break Time course.
- Feel your way through the darkness, using the brief flashes of light.
- Reach the Wonder Seed at the end.
KO Arena: Sunbaked Skirmish
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #29 · KO Arena
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #29 · KO Arena
Win the Sunbaked Skirmish
- Enter the Sunbaked Skirmish KO Arena.
- Defeat every wave of enemies before the timer ends.
- Collect the Wonder Seed for clearing the arena.
Search Party: Pipe Park
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #30 · Search Party
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #30 · Search Party
Search the Pipe Park
- Enter the Pipe Park Search Party course.
- Travel the pipes to find the hidden Poplins across the area.
- Find them all to earn the Wonder Seed.
Sunbaked Desert House
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #31 · Poplin House
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #31 · Poplin House
Visit the Sunbaked Desert House
- Walk onto the Sunbaked Desert House on the world map.
- The Poplin inside hands you a Wonder Seed.
- Accept the gift to add it to your total.
Poplin Shop 1
Seeds in this course1 seed
- ✓Seed #32 · Poplin Shop
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #32 · Poplin Shop
Buy the Wonder Seed at Poplin Shop 1
- Find Poplin Shop 1 next to the oasis in the southern part of Sunbaked Desert.
- Talk to the Poplin running the shop and open the item menu.
- Spend 100 Flower Coins to buy the Wonder Seed on sale.
Sunbaked Desert Palace
Seeds in this course2 seeds
- ✓Seed #36 · Palace
- ✓Seed #37 · Royal Seed
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #36 · Palace
Clear the Sunbaked Desert Palace
- Enter the Sunbaked Desert Palace at the end of the world.
- Work through the Palace gauntlet to the boss arena.
- Collect the Wonder Seed on the way to the boss.
1 / 2
Wonder Seed #37 · Royal Seed
Claim the Sunbaked Desert Royal Seed
- Defeat the boss inside the Sunbaked Desert Palace.
- Finish the fight to end the Palace.
- Collect the Royal Seed to open the next stretch of Petal Isles.
Sources and Image Credits
All screenshots in this guide are captured from The Gaming Guide Archives’ own Super Mario Bros. Wonder footage. Super Mario Bros. Wonder and related game visuals are property of Nintendo. Route names, world totals and Wonder Seed types were verified against the Super Mario Wiki Sunbaked Desert and individual course pages.
Wonder Seed #32 (“Buy the Wonder Seed at Poplin Shop 1”) uses footage from OneHpTom on YouTube, used with credit. Wonder Seed #33 (“Buy the First Wonder Seed at the Hidden Poplin Shop”) uses footage from Trophy Tom on YouTube, used with credit. Wonder Seed #34 (“Buy the Second Wonder Seed at the Hidden Poplin Shop”) uses footage from Trophy Tom on YouTube, used with credit. Wonder Seed #35 (“Buy the Third Wonder Seed at the Hidden Poplin Shop”) uses footage from Trophy Tom on YouTube, used with credit.
FAQ
How many Wonder Seeds are in Sunbaked Desert?
Sunbaked Desert holds 36 Wonder Seeds plus one Royal Seed from the Sunbaked Desert Palace boss.
How do I unlock the later Sunbaked Desert courses?
Some courses, such as the Treasure Vault and the Uncharted-style challenges, open once you have collected enough Wonder Seeds from the main courses. Clear the main desert levels first to reveal the rest of the map.
Are the screenshots from your own playthrough?
Yes. Every screenshot in this guide is captured from our own Super Mario Bros. Wonder gameplay on The Gaming Guide Archives channel.
Who is the boss of Sunbaked Desert?
The Sunbaked Desert Palace boss is Bowser Jr. The fight starts underwater and he chases you as a spinning spiked shell. Dodge his charges and stomp him between them to win the Royal Seed.
Are there secret exits in Sunbaked Desert?
Yes. A few courses, including Secrets of Shova Mansion, hide a secret exit that awards an extra Wonder Seed.
How do I unlock the Sunbaked Desert Special course?
Finish the main story first. The Sunbaked Desert Special, Pole Block Allure, then appears in the Special World alongside the other world specials.