Desert Ruins (W1) is the first West level and the home of the paired scroll treasures. Use the finder below for every Gray, Red, Green, and Blue chest, all eight Musical Coins, and the Yellow Belly arena—with exact room-map links for Day/Night and each map variant. First priority is both scroll halves so the overworld tornado clears and W2 The Volcano's Base opens for Lead Overalls.
FIRST CLEAR PRIORITY
Grab both scroll halves to clear the tornado and open W2
Open the Gray Chest for the Top Half of Scroll and the Red Chest for the Bottom Half of Scroll. When both pieces are collected, the overworld tornado clears and W2 The Volcano's Base becomes available. Come back later for Pink Crayon, Sun Medallion (Bottom), Musical Coins, and Yellow Belly.
W1 CHECKLIST · DESERT RUINS
Desert Ruins Finder
0 / 13 targets marked · browser checklist only
Map links open the Room & Target Index for this level. Match Day/Night and variant to your overworld state. Later variants can move some routes, but chest colors and treasure rewards stay the same. Progress is stored only in this browser.
ALL FOUR CHESTS · W1
Desert Ruins treasures by chest color
Each chest needs its matching key color in the same level. Colors are not unlocked globally—if you drop a key, go back and pick it up again. Room numbers below match the default Day layout; open the map link for live markers on your current Day/Night and variant.
| Chest | Treasure | Key rooms | Chest room | What it does | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray / Grey | Top Half of Scroll |
4 | 28 | First scroll half. Pair with the Bottom Half to clear the tornado and open W2. | Open Gray Chest map |
| Red |  Bottom Half of Scroll |
1 | 6 | Completes the scroll pair. Clears the tornado and opens The Volcano's Base. | Open Red Chest map |
| Green |  Pink Crayon |
5, 7, 11, 19, 21, 29 | 5, 7, 11, 19, 21, 29 | One of seven crayons. Collect all seven to fully color the overworld Golf Building. | Open Green Chest map |
| Blue |  Sun Medallion (Bottom) |
9, 24, 27 | 15 | Pairs with Sun Medallion (Top) from N6. Unlocks Castle of Illusions V2, Colossal Hole V3, and Frigid Sea V4. | Open Blue Chest map |
MUSICAL COINS · MUSIC COINS
All 8 Musical Coins in Desert Ruins
Every level has eight Musical Coins. They are not required for the Perfect treasure screen, but finishing all 200 coins across the game unlocks Golf Building Course 4. Room numbers below match the default Day layout.
| Coin | Primary rooms | Also present in |
|---|---|---|
| Musical Coin 1 | 0 | 8, 10, 20, 26 |
| Musical Coin 2 | 0 | 8, 10, 20, 26 |
| Musical Coin 3 | 5 | 7, 11, 19, 21, 29 |
| Musical Coin 4 | 9 | 24, 27 |
| Musical Coin 5 | 14 | 22 |
| Musical Coin 6 | 14 | 22 |
| Musical Coin 7 | 14 | 22 |
| Musical Coin 8 | 25 | — |
Open all Musical Coin markers on the Room & Target Index → · Full Musical Coins Finder for every level →
BOSS · DESERT RUINS
How to beat Yellow Belly
Yellow Belly
Multi-part desert boss for W1 Desert Ruins. The arena is in room 15 on the default Day map—the same room family as the Blue Chest route for Sun Medallion (Bottom).
The body, head, arrow, pump, and platform appear together. Puffy Wario is the damage state—use the pump and arrow cycle to stay airborne and hit the body. After the final hit, the body, head, and platform shut down together.
Open Yellow Belly map markers → · Boss catalog → · All boss strategies →
Body + platform setup
The body, head, arrow, pump, and platform appear together as the encounter begins.
Puffy Wario cycle
Puffy Wario can damage Yellow Belly during the repeating pump, arrow, and water-spark pattern.
Defeat clear
After the final hit, the body, head, and platform shut down so you can leave the arena cleanly.
WEST DESERT ROUTE
How Desert Ruins fits the early West path
Unlock W1
Take Blue Tablet (N2 Gray) and Green Tablet (N3 Gray). Together they open the North → West gate into Desert Ruins.
Scroll pair first
Collect Top Half (Gray Chest) and Bottom Half (Red Chest). The completed scroll clears the tornado and opens W2 The Volcano's Base.
Lead Overalls next
Enter W2 for Lead Overalls and permanent Ground Pound. That ability unlocks N1/N3 Variant 2 and many mid-game routes.
MAP VARIANTS · DAY & NIGHT
When Desert Ruins layout changes
W1 has four progression variants on both Day and Night. Variant 1 is available once the tablets open the West gate. Later variants open after you collect specific treasures:
| Variant | Requirements | Notes | Map |
|---|---|---|---|
| V1 | None (level open via Blue + Green Tablets) | Default first visit. Grab both scroll halves here. | Open Day map |
| V2 | Blue Tablet + Green Tablet | Tablet-linked layout. Usually available as soon as you enter from the West gate. | Open Day map |
| V3 | Head Smash Helmet (E2 Gray Chest) | Head-smash layout for mid/late clean-up routes. | Open Day map |
| V4 | Super Jump Slam Overalls (E3 Gray Chest) | Late layout for remaining chests, coins, and boss clean-up. | Open Day map |
FIRST VISIT ROUTE
What to do in Desert Ruins on the first clear
Enter from the West gate
After both tablets, walk into W1 from the North → West path. This is the first West stop on the beginner treasure order.
Gray + Red scroll halves
Hunt the Gray Key in room 4 and open the Gray Chest in room 28 for the Top Half. Hunt the Red Key in room 1 and open the Red Chest in room 6 for the Bottom Half.
Leave for W2, revisit later
Exit to the overworld so the tornado cutscene can clear, then enter The Volcano's Base for Lead Overalls. Return for Pink Crayon, Sun Medallion (Bottom), Musical Coins, and Yellow Belly on later variants.
FAQ
Desert Ruins FAQ
How do you unlock Desert Ruins?
Collect the Blue Tablet from N2 The Peaceful Village (Gray Chest) and the Green Tablet from N3 The Vast Plain (Gray Chest). Together they open the North → West gate into W1 Desert Ruins.
How do I open the Gray / Grey Chest in Desert Ruins?
Find the matching Gray Key in room 4 on the default Day map, carry it to the Gray Chest in room 28, and open it for the Top Half of Scroll.
How do I open the Red Chest in Desert Ruins?
Find the Red Key in room 1, carry it to the Red Chest in room 6, and open it for the Bottom Half of Scroll. Collect both scroll halves to clear the tornado.
How do you clear the tornado / open The Volcano's Base?
Both scroll halves must be collected. The completed scroll triggers the overworld tornado clear and opens W2 The Volcano's Base for Lead Overalls and the rest of the West volcano path.
Where is the Pink Crayon?
Pink Crayon is the Green Chest treasure in Desert Ruins. Key and chest markers share the room family 5, 7, 11, 19, 21, and 29. It is one of seven crayons for the Golf Building unlock.
What does Sun Medallion (Bottom) do?
It pairs with Sun Medallion (Top) from N6 Sea Turtle Rocks. The complete medallion set unlocks Castle of Illusions V2, The Colossal Hole V3, and The Frigid Sea V4.
How many Musical Coins are in Desert Ruins?
Eight—the same as every other level. Use the coin table above or the full Musical Coins Finder if you are missing one for golf Course 4 or 100% side goals.
How do you beat Yellow Belly?
Enter the boss arena in room 15. Learn the body, platform, pump, and arrow pattern, then use Puffy Wario to damage the body. After the final hit, the arena parts shut down so you can exit.
Is Desert Ruins required for the ending?
The scroll pair is required for early West progression and Lead Overalls access, which gate many later routes. Pink Crayon supports golf unlock. Sun Medallion (Bottom) supports late East layouts. Neither crayon nor medallion is part of the five Music Box ending set itself.