Sand Kingdom Purple Coins Guide — Mario Odyssey
Introduction (hook)
If you love exploring in Super Mario Odyssey, the thrill of tracking down every sand kingdom purple coins is hard to beat. These regional purple coins unlock unique outfits, stickers, and rewards only available in Tostarena’s dunes and ruins. This guide walks you through what they are, where to find them, step-by-step examples, and smart tactics so you can collect them all with minimal backtracking.
What Are Sand Kingdom Purple Coins and Why They Matter
Sand kingdom purple coins (also called regional purple coins) are purple-colored currency exclusive to the Sand Kingdom in Super Mario Odyssey. Unlike regular coins, purple coins only appear in their home kingdom, and many shops and photo modes require them to buy special kingdom-specific items.
- Purpose: Buy kingdom outfits, postcards, and some souvenirs that you can’t get with ordinary coins.
- Scarcity: They are limited per kingdom, so missing one can prevent you from completing that kingdom’s purple-coin collection.
- Progression: Collecting all purple coins is required for completionists and often ties to certain trophies or in-game satisfaction.
Overview of Sand Kingdom (Tostarena) Locations and Terrain
The Sand Kingdom—centered on the town of Tostarena and surrounding pyramids and deserts—mixes vertical ruins, quicksand, thick dunes, and scattered ruins. Knowing terrain types helps you predict where purple coins hide:
- Town of Tostarena: Shops, rooftops, and plaza nooks often hide coins.
- Pyramids and Ruins: Platforms, ledges, and interior rooms behind illusions or hidden doors.
- Quicksand and Dunes: Look for slightly sunken platforms and partially buried blocks.
- Raised Columns & Statues: Coins may be tucked into crevices or atop statues that need precise jumps.
Complete Sand Kingdom Purple Coin Locations (Step-by-step)
Below is a practical, example-based walkthrough for common purple coin spots in Tostarena. Use it as a checklist while exploring. These locations are grouped by area to minimize travel time.
Tostarena Town Plaza
- Check near the fountain and market stalls: Purple coins often sit on low walls or crates that are easy to miss during a busy jump spree.
- Rooftop patrol: Capture a Tank or use a rolling jump sequence to reach low roofs—look behind chimneys.
- Example tip: Stand behind the stall with banners and do a spin jump; you’ll often reveal a coin tucked into the stall’s shadow.
Pyramid Exterior and Ledges
- Walk around the base: One or two coins can be hidden along the pyramid’s base near broken pillars.
- Check ledges above the stairs: Use a long jump or captured creature (like a Bullet Bill) to reach recessed platforms.
- Example path: From the plaza, head toward the pyramid’s south side, climb the shallow stairs, and hug the inner wall—look for a purple glint in a shadowed alcove.
Pyramid Interior Rooms
- Find the hidden switches: Many interior rooms require switches or torches to access secret alcoves with coins.
- Use Cappy: Throw Cappy to hit switches in tight angles; sometimes coins appear only after you solve a small puzzle.
- Example: In one chamber you’ll see faint wall patterns—jump on the raised tile to reveal a hidden opening with 2–3 coins.
Ruined Columns and Statues
- Inspect statue bases: Coins can be behind the statue or under small overhangs accessible by crouching and sliding.
- Look for tall columns with narrow platforms: These require precise platforming but reward you with single purple coins on top.
- Tip: Use a short hop and then cap jump to gain extra height to reach narrow tops.
Quicksand Patches and Buried Blocks
- Watch for subtle color shifts: Purple coins hide near quicksand edges on slightly darker sand patches.
- Use throwable objects: Push or throw small blocks to reveal buried steps or open cavities containing coins.
- Example strategy: Circle the quicksand pools slowly—many players skip the edges, but careful observation reveals hidden coins right along the rim.
High-Up Ruins and Snaking Paths
- Chain jump between pillars: Long sequences often hide one coin on a rock at an awkward angle.
- Exploration tip: Pause on small platforms and slowly rotate the camera—purple coins can be behind structures you pass by quickly.
Best Strategies and Techniques to Find Purple Coins Faster
Collecting sand kingdom purple coins efficiently is as much about technique as it is about knowing locations. Use these strategies to reduce time and frustration.
1. Systematic Route
- Design a clockwise or counterclockwise route: Start in the town plaza, sweep the pyramid, then clear outlying ruins.
- Mark cleared spots mentally or use postcards and the map to track progress.
2. Camera and Lighting Awareness
- Adjust the camera often: Purple coins can be hidden behind columns or inside alcoves not visible from a single angle.
- Use brighter gamma or monitor settings if your screen hides subtle purple glints in shadowed areas.
3. Use Captures Smartly
- Capture flying enemies (Bullet Bills) or rolling ones (Chain Chomps) when you need sustained speed or unusual movement to reach elevated or distant coins.
- Capture snake-like enemies to squeeze into narrow tunnels or to reach angled ledges.
4. Patience with Platforming
- Don’t rush jumps: many purple coins sit on thin ledges that require precise landings.
- Practice cap jumps and dive rolls in safer areas before attempting tricky coin platforms.
5. Listen and Observe
- Audio cues: The soft tinkle and camera sparkle when a purple coin is nearby can help locate otherwise hidden ones.
- Environmental clues: Torches, cracked walls, or oddly placed blocks often hint at secret coin spots.
What You Can Buy with Sand Kingdom Purple Coins
Understanding the rewards makes collecting purple coins more satisfying. In the Sand Kingdom shop, purple coins typically purchase:
- Kingdom-themed outfits: Outfits that echo the Sand Kingdom’s style—think turbans, robes, and desert hats.
- Souvenirs & Stickers: Some decor and stickers for your Odyssey or photo mode.
- Photo Booth Extras: Unique frames or backgrounds linked to Tostarena themes.
Tip: Save purple coin purchases for items you really want—the catalog rotates and some items may require a full set of coins.
Hidden Tricks and Common Mistakes
Even veteran players miss coins due to common mistakes. Avoid these pitfalls:
- Skipping shadowed alcoves: Always scan behind structures; coins often hide in low-visibility areas.
- Relying on one run: If you don’t find all coins in one sweep, come back after getting a new capture ability—some coins are easier with different enemies.
- Ignoring broken walls: Breakable blocks and cracked walls sometimes conceal coin caches.
Example trick: If you’re stuck trying to reach a coin on a narrow ledge, capture a Bullet Bill or use a cap throw+dive combo to gain extra height safely.
Checklist: Quick Collection Plan
Use this condensed checklist while playing:
- Start at Tostarena Plaza and search market stalls.
- Sweep the pyramid base clockwise and check all ledges.
- Enter each interior room and flip every switch.
- Inspect statue bases and column tops.
- Circle quicksand pools and check sunken edges.
- Use captures for distant or high-up coins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are five common questions and clear, concise answers about sand kingdom purple coins.
Q1: How many sand kingdom purple coins are there?
A1: The Sand Kingdom usually contains a set number of purple coins that you must collect to unlock its kingdom-specific items. The exact number may vary with game updates or specific challenge modes, but the kingdom typically has between 30–50 purple coins scattered across Tostarena, the pyramid, and the surrounding desert zones. Use the in-game counter to track progress.
Q2: Do sand kingdom purple coins respawn if I miss one?
A2: Purple coins do not respawn across different kingdoms; they remain in the Sand Kingdom only. If you miss one and leave the kingdom, you must return later to collect it. They do remain available for collection when you revisit Tostarena, so you won’t lose them permanently—but track your progress to avoid extra runs.
Q3: Can I use any capture to reach purple coins?
A3: Most captures help, but some specific purple coin locations require particular captures (for example, a flying capture to reach distant platforms or a rolling enemy to break through obstacles). If you’re stuck, try switching captures in the kingdom or returning after unlocking another capture source in a nearby area.
Q4: Are there map markers for purple coin locations?
A4: The in-game map shows purple coin counts for regions but doesn’t indicate precise spots. For exact placements, follow a systematic route or refer to visual guides. Many players use a methodical sweep of each sub-area (plaza, pyramid exterior, interior rooms, outlying ruins) to ensure nothing is missed.
Q5: What’s the fastest way to collect them all?
A5: The fastest approach combines a planned route, smart captures, and camera awareness. Start in the town, clear the pyramid base and interior, then work outwards to ruins and quicksand areas. Use Bullet Bill or similar captures for high/long jumps, and pause to rotate the camera often. Practicing cap jumps and short cut sequences also speeds up collection time.
Conclusion
Collecting all sand kingdom purple coins is a rewarding part of Super Mario Odyssey that encourages exploration, careful platforming, and creative use of captures. With a tidy route plan, careful camera work, and a few capture tricks, you can find every purple coin hidden in Tostarena’s plazas, pyramids, and dunes. Use the checklist and tips above during your next session—happy hunting, and may your Odyssey be full of purple glints!

