Monty Mole: Difference between revisions

|image = [[File:MontymoleNSMBU.png|325px]]<br>Artwork of Monty Mole from ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]''

|first_appearance=''[[Super Mario World]]'' ([[1990]])

|species_origin={{wp|Mole (animal)|Mole}}

|variants=[[Big Monty Mole]]<br>[[Choropū-dan]]<br>[[Choropū Men'iwa]]<br>[[Golden Monty Mole]]<br>[[Ghost Monty Mole]]<br>[[Mawful Mole]]<br>[[Mega Mole]]<br>[[Monty Mole (Flower Fields)]]<br>[[Monty Mole Patch]]<br>[[Monty Mole Swooper]]<br>[[Morty Mole]]<br>[[Origami Monty Mole]]<br>[[Presenter]]<br>[[Winged Monty Mole]]

|comparable=[[Cook]]<br>[[Mole (Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars)|Mole (''Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars'')]]<br>[[Monty]]<br>[[Mukumuku]]<br>[[Pendril]]<br>[[Piranha Sprout (Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker)|Piranha Sprout (''Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker'')]]<br>[[Sworm]]<br>[[Undergrunt]]

|relatives=[[Ragumo]]<br>[[Rocky Wrench]]<!--Please do not move this to derived, the current ambiguous placement was decided via proposal-->

|collapsed=true

}}

{{quote|You never know what you're gonna find when you start diggin'. That's what I love about it!|Monty Mole|Paper Mario: The Origami King}}

 

==History==

===''Super Mario'' series===

====''Super Mario World''====

Monty Moles make their debut ''Super Mario World'', being encountered in both [[Yoshi's Island 2]] and [[Cookie Mountain]]. Monty Moles pop out of random spots in the ground to surprise [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] and will either chase after them persistently or just walk around and hop occasionally (though the latter behavior was not seen in future titles). Monty Moles can easily be defeated by any attack method. ''Super Mario World'' also introduced a larger variant of Monty Mole named [[Mega Mole]], which Mario or Luigi can ride on to get across obstacles. Despite this, Mega Moles can still damage Mario or Luigi. In some [[List of Super Mario World beta elements|earlier builds]] of the game, Monty Moles had slightly different digging sprites from those in the final game.

 

====''Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins''====

{{main|Ragumo}}

 

====''Super Mario All-Stars / Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3''====

 

====''Super Mario 64'' / ''Super Mario 64 DS''====

 

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====''Super Mario Sunshine''====

 

 

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====''New Super Mario Bros.''====

[[File:Whack-a-Monty.png|200px|thumb|The [[Whack-a-Monty]] minigame from ''New Super Mario Bros.'']]

Although Monty Moles are absent as regular enemies, the game does feature a Monty Mole operating a [[tank]] named [[Monty Tank]], who appears as the boss of the {{world-link|6|castlen|World 6-Castle (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 6-Castle}} in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'' Monty Tank can fire [[Bullet Bill]]s and out of his tank and throw [[Bob-omb]]s as his method of attack. Mario or Luigi can defeat Monty Tank by either [[stomp]]ing the Monty Mole's head three times when he comes out to throw a Bob-omb, or by hitting him with [[fireball]]s. When jumped on, the tank will spin around and shoot many Bullet Bills and gain another turret. Interestingly enough, the model for Monty Mole used in this game (which is only used for Monty Tank) is the same model used in ''Super Mario 64 DS'', albeit with much lower quality textures.

 

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====''New Super Mario Bros. U''====

 

====''New Super Luigi U''====

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====''Super Mario Maker'' / ''Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS''====

|alt4=New Super Mario Bros. U game style

}}

 

====''Super Mario Maker 2''====

Monty Moles reappear in ''[[Super Mario Maker 2]]'' as enemies, sharing the same behavior as in ''Super Mario Maker''. Monty Moles appear only in the orignal four styles and are absent from the ''[[Super Mario 3D World]]'' style (likely due to them being absent from that game). Unlike in ''[[Super Mario Maker]]'', Monty Moles are now completely separate from Rocky Wrenches. The course creator [[Mischievous Mole]] could possibly be a Monty Mole, as one of his courses has Monty Moles in it. The Googoo Onesie [[Mii]] outfit also depicts the ''Super Mario World'' Monty Mole sprite on the bib.

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====''Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.''====

[[File:Game and Watch SMB clock 12.jpg|thumb|left|Mario jumping towards a Monty Mole in ''Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros.'']]

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[[File:NESOTG cover NA.jpg|thumb|The Monty Mole on the cover of ''NES Open Tournament Golf'']]

While Monty Moles do not appear within the actual gameplay of ''[[NES Open Tournament Golf]]'', what appears to be one is shown on the game cover. The Monty Mole has round sunglasses, three hairs, and a square tooth. The Monty Mole is also atypically small in comparison to Mario.

 

===''Mario Kart'' series===

====''Mario Kart DS''====

[[File:MontyMoleMKDS.png|frame|left]]

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====''Mario Kart Wii''====

[[File:MontyMoleMKW.png|thumb|A Monty Mole in ''Mario Kart Wii'']]

 

Monty Moles originally used their model from ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]'' and ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]'', as well as having a different jumping animation as a placeholder. This unused model and animation for Monty Mole was likely used as just placeholder before making the final model and animations.<ref>https://tcrf.net/Mario_Kart_Wii/Unused_Course_Objects</ref>

 

====''Mario Kart 7''====

 

====''Mario Kart 8'' / ''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe''====

====''Mario Kart Tour''====

[[File:MKT Monty Moles Donut Plains 2.png|thumb|325px|Monty Mole driving by its course obstacle counterpart in {{classic|SNES|Donut Plains 2}}]]

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One of the ''Mario Undōkai'' trading cards depicts Mario running away from two Monty Moles.

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===''Hotel Mario''===

[[File:HM Monty Mole.png|left|frame]]

Monty Moles reappear in ''[[Game & Watch Gallery 2]]'', in which they appear in the Modern version of ''[[Vermin]]''. They appear when the player earns 200, 500, and 700 [[point]]s. When the Monty Moles appear, they throw a heart which Yoshi can smash to restore a third of the damage done to the [[Yoshi Egg]]s. Monty Mole's behavior is similar to what they did in the previous game.

{{br}}

 

===''Paper Mario'' series===

 

====''Paper Mario: The Origami King''====

Monty Moles reappear in ''[[Paper Mario: The Origami King]]'' where, unlike the first ''Paper Mario'', Monty Moles act as friendly NPCs rather than enemies. An unnamed [[Monty Mole auctioneer]] appears in [[Overlook Mountain]], where he sells one of the [[shell stone]]s. Multiple Monty Moles appear as NPCs in [[Breezy Tunnel]], giving the player dialogue (and sometimes an item). According to the Monty Moles, Breezy Tunnel is the workplace for them to find valuables to sell to [[Bowser]]. The Monty Moles also confuse [[Olivia]] for a female bee. A Monty Mole also confirms that they do not support bee bullying, as one scolded [[Mario]] for making the Olivia (who they through was a bee girl) cry (though they later forgave him after he made her happy). Breezy Tunnel also has a shop with a [[Fun, Funky, and Functional Monty Mole]] and a regular Monty Mole. A [[Toad mechanic]] as well as his two Monty Mole assistants help give repairs to the [[Super Marino]]. In the alternate textures for [[Paper Mistake Buzzy Beetle]], it is shown that multiple Monty Moles were among the many victims that had their faces severed and put on the boss. Finally, a Monty Mole can be seen in the final cutscene, being seen working at a Soccer ball shop.

 

 

====''Mario Party 6''====

In ''[[Mario Party 6]]'', Monty Moles are in the minigame [[Mole-it!]], where the players earn points by hitting them when they pop out of the pipes. During the day, the pipes are on the ceiling, and at night, they are on the ground. Hitting a normal Monty Mole earns a team one point, and a [[Golden Monty Mole]] gives the team three. They also appear in the [[Star Sprint]] level [[Meadow Road]] as obstacles the player can avoid but can also be defeated by dashing into them. Monty Moles also appear in the [[Miracle Book]] in the "Poppin' Out of the Pipe" and "Bountiful Harvest" sections, despite never appearing in [[Garden Grab]].

 

In ''[[Mario Party 7]]'', a Monty Mole appears on the board [[Pyramid Park]]. They appear when the player lands on the [[Event Space|Green Space]] on the far right of the board, next to three pots. He offers to play a small minigame, where the player must hit the [[cobra]]s but not the Monty Mole. If the player hits the Monty Mole, the minigame will automatically end. In the minigame [[Sphere Factor]], three or four Monty Moles pop out of the ground towards the end (before the bridge) and try to prevent the player from rolling the huge ball to the finish line. These Monty Moles also appear in the ending for the minigame as well. Three Monty Moles also appear in the minigame [[Monty's Revenge]], where they are the ones whacking the players with hammers. The name of the minigame also suggests that this is the Monty Mole's revenge on being whacked with hammers.

 

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====''Mario Party 9''====

 

====''Mario Party: Island Tour''====

 

====''Mario Party: Star Rush''====

Mega Monty Mole retains his role as a boss in ''[[Mario Party: Star Rush]]'' appearing in the minigame [[Mega Monty Mole's in the Hole]]. Normal Monty Moles appear in the minigame [[Rolls for Moles]], in which the player must hit as many Monty Moles as they can.

 

 

====''Super Mario Party''====

{{quote|This could be fun. Sure, I'm in!|Monty Mole|Super Mario Party}}

Monty Mole appears as a playable character in ''[[Super Mario Party]]'' for the first time in the ''Mario Party'' series, though it is Monty Mole's fourth time being playable in any ''Mario'' game. As shown in the introductory scene, [[Bowser]] calls upon Monty Mole, [[Bowser Jr.]], [[Goomba]], [[Boo]], [[Shy Guy]], [[Koopa Troopa]], [[Dry Bones]], [[Hammer Bro]], and [[Pom Pom]] to participate in the party to be crowned "Super Star." Monty Mole's [[Dice Block]] has a +1 coin side instead of a 1; otherwise, it is functionally identical to the normal Dice Block. Fake Monty Moles also appear in the minigame [[Rhythm and Bruise]], where the player's objective is to whack them with hammers to the beat of the music. If the player uses Monty Mole for this minigame, he will start sweating and display a nervous expression. Monty Moles can also cameo in [[Absent Minded]] as one of the characters that can be chosen, though they only appear if nobody is playing as Monty Mole. Like most other characters, a Monty Mole also appears as one of the puzzles in [[Puzzle Hustle]], being depicted as their ''Super Mario World'' sprite. Like all the other playable characters, Monty Mole has both a regular and shiny [[List of stickers in Super Mario Party|sticker]]. Other non-playable Monty Moles can also occasionally be seen walking or running around in the background of [[Party Plaza]], with these Monty Moles being the only non-playable ones that appear in ''Super Mario Party''.

===''Mario Baseball'' series===

====''Mario Superstar Baseball''====

 

====''Mario Super Sluggers''====

[[File:MLSSBMMoleMonty.png|frame]]

{{main|Presenter}}

 

 

 

'''Monty Mole #1'''<br>

''Reward'': [[Mush Badge AA]]<br>

''Location'': In the area of Bowser's Castle where there are moving whirlwinds across the lava pool below, the brothers can continue east past the door to [[Lemmy Koopa|Lemmy]]'s room, where the lava pool resumes and another moving whirlwind can be found. The brothers can use this whirlwind to guide them east through the air. At the end of the flight, this Monty Mole can be found.

 

===''Mario Strikers Charged''===

===''Mario Sports Mix''===

In ''[[Mario Sports Mix]]'', a single Monty Mole can be seen as a spectator, cheering on the players when they play at [[Western Junction]].

 

===''Dr. Mario World''===

Monty Moles appear in ''[[Dr. Mario World]]'' as assistants. Their Stage Mode skill grants a chance five coins are rewarded upon clearing a stage regardless of whether the stage is cleared or uncleared, in which the chance of earning them is greater at higher levels. This effect does not activate upon clearing special stages or the Daily Booster. Their versus mode effect is to grant a chance that the attack meter will fill extra if a virus is eliminated. Contrary to the game's description which indicated that it can occur repeatedly, it only activates at the start of the match and the effect will last throughout the match if it does, and has a higher chance to do so at higher levels. When this effect activates, any elimination made either through a capsule match, elimination through skill, or elimination through other objects like shells will fill the attack meter by an extra point for each elimination made. Contrary to the game's description, viruses are not required to be eliminated to gain extra attack points. This effect stacks with [[Sledge Bro]]'s effect, meaning that if both activate, two points will be filled in the attack meter for every elimination made.

 

Monty Moles also appear in the background of [[World 6 (Dr. Mario World)|World 6]] when the area is cleared.

===Unused appearances===

====''Dr. Mario 64''====

=====''Super Paper Mario''=====

[[File:Monty Mole body SPM unused.png|thumb|160px|Unused sprite of a Monty Mole in ''Super Paper Mario'']]

 

=====''Paper Mario: Sticker Star''=====

Monty Moles were going to appear as enemies in ''[[Paper Mario: Sticker Star]]'' but were cut from the game.<ref>[https://tcrf.net/Paper_Mario:_Sticker_Star#Unused_Enemies TCRF]</ref> Additionally, a crowned purple Monty Mole boss named [[King Choropū]] (キングチョロプー)<ref>https://www.mariocastle.it/paper-mario-sticker-star-scoperte-elementi-scartati/2/</ref> was also [[List of Paper Mario: Sticker Star pre-release and unused content|intended]] to appear, as shown in a screenshot from the {{wp|E3 2010}} beta.

 

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[[File:Monty Mole WFPlus prototype screenshot.png|thumb|250px|A prerelease screenshot of Monty Mole in ''Wii Fit Plus'']]

A Monty Mole can be seen on the cover of the pitch for the cancelled ''[[Nintendo Comic]]'' created by [[Fleetway Editions]]. However, due to the comic being cancelled, it is unknown what role Monty Mole would have had in the actual comic.

In early builds of ''{{wp|Wii Fit Plus}}'', Monty Mole's model from ''Mario Kart Wii'' was used as a placeholder for the moles in that game before eventually being removed.<ref>https://wiifactsplus.tumblr.com/post/637159989999452160/one-of-the-documents-found-in-the-september-2020 ([https://archive.is/xGaqY archive.is])</ref>

 

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====''Robot Chicken''====

[[File:Gophers in Robot Chicken.png|thumb|left|350px|Three "Gophers" from the ''Robot Chicken'' skit "Moo Moo Farm in Real Life"]]

 

Since most games after ''Super Mario 64 DS'', Monty Moles were given a redesign that consolidates the two designs from the ''Super Mario World'' artworks, with a small amount of influence from the ''Super Mario 64'' and ''Super Mario Sunshine'' designs. From the "sunglasses" artwork, they get the smooth, cheek-less head sides, white upper lip, and small nose; from the other ''Super Mario World'' artwork, they get the distinct squint; from the ''Super Mario 64'' design, they get the visible teeth, though the number is reduced to one; and from the ''Super Mario Sunshine'' design, they get the wideness of the upper lip. This design would become the standard design for later games, though there has been variation on the color of the lower lip, with brown appearing most consistently.

 

===Characteristics===

|''[[Mario & Luigi: Dream Team]]'' || 2013 || Nintendo 3DS || Featured as a support enemy in [[Bowser Jr.]]'s boss battle

|-

|-

|''[[Mario Golf: World Tour]]'' || [[2014]] || Nintendo 3DS || Some appear in the [[Castle Club]] mode; the name "Monty Mole" is sometimes displayed on the tournament scoreboard; enlarged ones also appear in [[Wiggler Park]]

|[[Super Mario-kun Volume 1|''Super Mario-kun'' Volume 1]] || [[1991]] || Enemy; has a major role in the seventh chapter which features an enlarged Monty Mole named [[Super Choropū]]; [[Mario]] also has a form named [[Mogura Mario]] that is based on Monty Mole

|-

|-

|[[Super Mario-kun Volume 3|''Super Mario-kun'' Volume 3]] || [[1992]] || Cameo

|[[Super Mario-kun Volume 46|''Super Mario-kun'' Volume 46]] || [[2013]] || Ally; multiple Monty Moles appear attending the [[Mogura Matsuri]], as well as a female Monty Mole/[[Rocky Wrench]] named [[Pūko]]

|-

|-

|[[Super Mario-kun Volume 54|''Super Mario-kun'' Volume 54]] || [[2018]] || Ally; a female mother Monty Mole named [[Choropū (Haha)]] and her children the [[Choropū (Kodomo-tachi)]] have major roles as allies

|-

|[[Super Mario-kun Volume 55|''Super Mario-kun'' Volume 55]] || [[2020]] || Cameo; a ghost Monty Mole can be seen on a photo that Yoshi taken, revealing the ghosts of the enemies he has eaten haunting him

|}

 

|Fra=Topi Taupe<br>Monty Mole<ref>http://manuelsjeux.free.fr/manuels/snes/smw23.htm</ref>

|FraM=From "taupe" (mole)<br>-

|SpaAM=Monty Mole

|SpaE=Topo Monty

 

==References==

<references/>

 

[[Category:Bosses]]

[[Category:Dinosaur Dilemma enemies]]

[[Category:Dr. Mario World species]]

[[Category:Hotel Mario enemies]]