Mega Mole

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Not to be confused with Mega Monty Mole.
Mega Mole
Official Artwork of a Mega Mole
Artwork from Super Mario World
First appearance Super Mario World (1990)
Latest appearance Mario Strikers Charged (cameo) (2007)
Variant of Monty Mole
Variants
Relatives
Notable members
“いいなあ…あっしと同じ 種族なのに でっかくて 迫力あって… (How lucky... It's the same species as me, but it's bigger and more powerful...)”
—Monty Mole, Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater

Mega Moles are overgrown Monty Moles[1] that are impervious to many attacks. They act in charge of the other Monty Moles,[2][3][4] and are depicted to have poor eyesight.

History[edit]

Super Mario World / Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2[edit]

Sprite of a Mega Mole from Super Mario World Mega Mole sprite from Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 Mega Mole while spat out by Yoshi

Mega Moles are enemies in Super Mario World and its remake. They are encountered in Chocolate Island 4, Valley of Bowser 1, and Valley of Bowser 2. Mega Moles are invulnerable to Mario and Luigi's jump or Spin Jump moves as well as Fire Mario or Luigi's fireballs, but can be defeated by using Caped Mario or Luigi's spinning attack, a Super Star, a Grab Block, or a Shell. Like other enemies, they are also immune to hazards such as Munchers and spikes. Standing on a Mega Mole's head is not a danger by itself, and will allow Mario or Luigi to ride it. Unlike regular Monty Moles, they do not pop out of holes in the ground. Despite their size, they can be eaten and swallowed by Yoshi. While most enemies merely result in the loss of Yoshi when getting hit by them, a few others, including Mega Moles, both hurt Mario and force Yoshi to run away. In the remake, if Yoshi eats a Mega Mole and spits it out while Luigi is riding him, a unique sprite of it facing the screen (thus resembling Monty Mole's jumping sprite) can be seen as it rolls along the ground.

Super Mario Kodansha manga[edit]

Mega Moles appear in several volumes in the Super Mario Kodansha manga, occasionally appearing in cameos in volumes based on Super Mario Bros. 2, Yoshi, and Super Mario Kart.

Mega Moles first appear in the third Super Mario World volume, in which Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi fall onto an enlarged Mega Mole trapped in a cage made out of ! Blocks, which Yoshi eats. They later encounter and defeat a group of three Mega Moles while traveling through Valley of Bowser 1.

The Mega Mole crime boss seen in the sixth Super Mario World volume of KC Mario
The Mega Mole seen in the sixth Super Mario World volume

In the fourth Super Mario World volume, Larry Koopa commands two Mega Moles to attack Mario and his friends. However, Luigi quickly digs a hole that the Mega Moles fall into due to their poor eyesight.

In the sixth Super Mario World volume, a Mega Mole appears as the main antagonist of the first chapter, stealing a Golden Mushroom to fund its mining tunnel. The Mega Mole and its Monty mole minions use a Bowser-shaped chariot and a Wiggler-shaped cargo vehicle to attack everyone, but they are defeated by Mario and Yoshi and the Golden Mushroom is returned.

Although no normal Mega Moles appear in the seventh Super Mario World volume, a Bowser-created kaiju Mega Mole appears.

The Mega Mole Family seen in the second KC Mario 4koma volume
Artwork of a Mega Mole family in the second 4koma volume

In the third Super Mario Kart volume, the inner temple that is located in the Pū Tairiku is shaped like a Mega Mole.

A Mega Mole family appears in the second 4koma volume, with varying sizes and shades of color. The family also appears throughout a few of the pages. In the "Videos Now on Sale" (ビデオ発売中) strip, Mario can be seen holding a small Mega Mole with him saying,「モグラはダメ?」("Moles aren't good?"). In the "Lala~lalalalala~la~" (ララ~ラララララ~ラ~) strip, Mario wins several small Mega Moles from a crane game. In the "Let's Give Flowers ♡" (花をめしませ♡) strip, a Mega Mole receives a large bouquet from Mario. In the "Mole" (もぐら) strip, Mario is seen riding a Mega Mole.

Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater[edit]

A strip featuring Monty Mole and Mega Mole from the second Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater volume.
The "Big Heads Have Little Wit" strip, in the second volume

Mega Moles appear frequently in Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater.

Although Mega Moles do not physically appear in volume 1, Mega Moles are briefly mentioned in Monty Mole's description like other Monty Mole descriptions.[5]

Mega Moles make their first physical appearance in volume 2, in the "Big Heads Have Little Wit" (大男総身に知恵が回りかね) strip, where a Mega Mole is talking to a Monty Mole who is waiting for Mario in order to ambush him. As the Mega Mole leaves, the Monty Mole comments on how the Mega Mole is a bigger and more powerful species, who fails to notice Mario riding the Mega Mole.

Super Mario-kun[edit]

The friendly Mega Mole from Volume 1 of Super Mario-kun
The friendly Mega Mole in volume 1 of Super Mario-kun

Mega Moles appear throughout the first nine volumes of Super Mario-kun.

A friendly Mega Mole has a major role in the ninth chapter of volume 1. Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi land on top of the Mega Mole after Yoshi eats the underground map. The Mega Mole tells them that he was left behind by his co-workers. The Mega Mole then falls into a pond, but Mario is able to use his Frog Suit and a Power Balloon to help carry the Mega Mole out of the water. The Mega Mole then leads Mario and his friends through a cave to find the exit, stumbling across a Skull Raft. They use it cross the lava until a Blargg comes, explaining that they were sent to kill the Mega Mole for betraying the Bowser's Minions. After the Blarrg attacks Mario and his friends, the Mega Mole jumps into the Blargg's mouth, clogging it. As the Blargg retreats into the lava, the Mega Mole re-emerges shortly after with the Blargg attached to its head.

In a Mario Paint-themed chapter from volume 5, Lemmy Koopa is able to make a crudely drawn version of Mega Mole as well as other Super Mario enemies using the SNES Mouse before they are quickly defeated by Mario and Yoshi.

Mario defeats the Mega Mole he meets in chapter 12, with "Mario USA Power!".
A Mega Mole being thrown by Mario in volume 7

In volume 6, a Sphinx fusion of various enemies named Sphinx Zō has Mega Mole paws.

A Mega Mole driving a kart working for Bowser has a major role in a later chapter in volume 6. When Mario and his friends go through an ice area, they come across The Mega Mole accidentally breaking the ice underneath them before Lakitu picks up the Mega Mole out of the ice before driving towards Mario. After a brief scuffle with Mario, Luigi, and Yoshi, the Mega Mole is buried in a snow sculpture of itself by the trio.

A Mega Mole appears in volume 7, in which it blocks Mario and Yoshi's path telling them to give up their oseibo (a year-end gift). Mario then picks up the Mega Mole (referencing Super Mario Bros. 2) and throws it at Yoshi.

Although normal Mega Moles do not appear in volume 9, a Venus Fire Trap-Mega Mole fusion known as Pakkun Mogura is seen as the main antagonist of the second chapter.

Nintendo Adventure Books[edit]

In the Nintendo Adventure Book Dinosaur Dilemma, if Mario offers a basket of apples to Yoshi and some dinosaurs he finds near Lake Trilobite, a Mega Mole will burst out of the dinosaur costume seizing Mario's sleeve. The other dinosaurs (including Yoshi) will turn out to be Mega Moles in disguise, and will surround Mario after removing their costumes, they proceed to eat Mario offscreen which leads to a Game Over. Some more Mega Moles can be encountered the basement of a decrepit mansion, where two furry objects can be seen in the distance blocking the exit sign. If Mario goes deeper in the cellar, he meets three more Mega Moles that sniff him before biting him and chasing Mario, attempting to eat him. If Mario chose the right path, he remembers that Mega Moles have poor eyesight and steps out the way making the Mega Moles go by as he escapes. Choosing the wrong path will lead to a Game Over, when Mario blindly falls into a watery pit inhabited by a Blargg.

Some Mega Moles appear among the crowds at the International Dino-Flying Derby in Flown the Koopa, and eye Mario and his friends hungrily when the show ends. Later in the swamp, if Mario and Luigi don some Mega Mole costumes (which are covered with matted gray fur), six real ones will approach the two with gifts. After "befriending" the Mega Moles by singing old plumbing songs and exchanging cookie recipes, Mario and Luigi have a plan to go in their cave and load up on supplies, before bursting through the castle with the help of the Mega Moles. Once they arrive at the Mega Moles' cave lair, the Mega Moles continue stuffing the plumbers with food, before weighing them down with "gifts". Mario then looks at the books before grabbing a book called Mega Moles In The Mist by Diane Flossy. As the Mario Bros. realize that the Mega Moles brought other people to their lair, trapping them, Mario realizes his fate before finishing the book, leading to a Game Over. Finally, another group of Mega Moles will attack Mario and Luigi, causing a Game Over, if they decide to explore a dark portion of Magikoopa's Fortress with a flashlight, which quickly dies on them since the Mega Moles can see very well in the dark.

In Unjust Desserts, some Mega Moles are shrunk by Magikoopa, and sent into Yoshi's body after Mario, though the hero never encounters any inside the dinosaur, just in the palace garden when he and all the creatures Yoshi and Luigi had eaten are spat up by them.

Super Mario Adventures[edit]

The Red Tuxedo Monty Mole and Blue Tuxedo Mega Mole from Super Mario Adventures

In Super Mario Adventures, multiple Mega Moles seen wearing blue tuxedos can be seen attending Bowser's wedding in the penultimate issue.

Mario Family[edit]

A Mega Mole in Mario Family
Artwork
A Mega Mole in Mario Family
Sprite
A Mega Mole in Mario Family

A Mega Mole appears in Mario Family, as one of the sewing designs.

Mario Strikers Charged[edit]

Mega Mole hieroglyphics in Mario Strikers Charged
Mega Mole hieroglyphics seen in Mario Strikers Charged

In Mario Strikers Charged, the sprites for Mega Moles seen in Super Mario World can be seen on the pillars in The Sand Tomb.

Other appearances[edit]

Mega Moles appeared in a Super Mario-themed Kirin Lemon commercial, being much smaller then they are normally. When Yoshi eats one of the Mega Moles, he spits fire, which does not happen in Super Mario World.[6]

Profiles and statistics[edit]

Super Mario series[edit]

Super Mario World[edit]

  • Mario Mania: Mega Mole may have bad eyesight, but his Mario-seeking radar is keen. Mario can actually put him to good use: hop right on and hitch a ride.[7]
  • Shogakukan guide: モクラの親玉。上には乗れるけど踏んでも倒せない。挟み打ちにされることが多いので、天井の低い所では注意！マントで倒せるのは意外。 [8][page number needed] (Head of the moles. It can be ridden on but stepping on it won't defeat it. Be careful of places with low ceilings, as they tend to pin you down! The Cape can defeat it, surprisingly.)

Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2[edit]

  • Prima Games: Large versions of Monty Moles, these guys are fast for their size, but they don’t jump out of the ground at you.[9]

Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten[edit]

インディー (JP) / Mega Mole (EN)
A Mega Mole from Super Mario World.
Original text (Japanese) Translation
種族しゅぞく ビースト族 Tribe Beast clan
性格せいかく せっかち Disposition Hasty
登場とうじょうゲーム ワールド Game appearances World
ちょっと乗らせてくださいね

洞窟のコースに登場する、モグラだちの親分。大きな体だが、ヨッシーで食べることもできる。上に乗ることができるので、橋渡しの台として使うととつても便利。[10]

Let me give you a ride.

The master of the moles that appears on the cave courses. It has a large body, but it can be eaten by Yoshi. It is very convenient to use it as a bridge platform because you can ride on top of it.

Gallery[edit]

Names in other languages[edit]

Language Name Meaning Notes
Japanese インディー[2]
Indī 		Indy
インディ[11]
Indi 		Alternate spelling of Indy
Chinese (simplified) 大鼹鼠[?]
Dà Yǎnshǔ 		Big Mole
French Top Taupe[12] From "top" and Topi Taupe ("Monty Mole")
Topi Taupe Géant[13] Giant Monty Mole Super Mario Encyclopedia
German Riesen-Monty[14] Giant Monty Super Mario World guidebook, Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
Mega Monty[?] Mega Monty Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros. Encyclopedia
Italian Mega Tantatalpa[15] Mega Monty Mole
Spanish Megatopo[?] Mega Mole

Trivia[edit]

  • In Super Mario 64 source assets, Monty Mole's model is internally labeled "indy" and has its size set to 25% of the base model when implemented in-game, indicating the original intent for them was to be Mega Moles.
  • Mega Moles are confirmed to be eight feet tall in Flown The Koopa, though they are around the same height as Mario in Super Mario World and on the size chart for the 1993 Nintendo Character Manual.
  • The moles in the Game Boy Advance version of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga look similar to Mega Moles.

References[edit]

  1. ^ 「チョロプー」 description. 「土つちの中なかからいきなり出現しゅつげんするモグラ。地下ちかの世界せかいには、巨大化きょだいかしたやつもいるそうだ。」 (A mole that bursts out of the ground. In underground worlds, there are even some that became giant.) – スーパーマリオワールド (Sūpā Mario Wārudo) instruction booklet. Nintendo (Japanese).
  2. ^ a b 「モクラの親玉。上には乗れるけど踏んでも倒せない。挟み打ちにされることが多いので、天井の低い所では注意！　マントで倒せるのは意外。」 (Head of the moles. It can be ridden on but stepping on it won't defeat it. Be careful of places with low ceilings, as they tend to pin you down! The Cape can defeat it, surprisingly.) – December 10, 1992. 「任天堂公式ガイドブック　スーパーマリオワールド」 (Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook – Super Mario World) - (INDY インディー description). ISBN 4-09-104117-5. Page 28.
  3. ^ 「チョロプーたちの親玉おやだま。」 (Head of the Choropoo.) – March 20, 1991. 「スーパーマリオ全百科オールひゃっか」 (Super Mario Zen Hyakka). Tokyo: Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-281118-7. Page 45Media:SMCE page 45.png.
  4. ^ 「モクラのチョロプーの親玉おやだまだ。」 (It's head of the Choropoo moles.) – November 11, 1994. 「スーパーマリオ大図鑑だいずかん」 (Super Mario Bros. Daizukan). Kodansha (Japanese). ISBN 4-06-259005-0. Page 60Media:SMBD page 60.png.
  5. ^ 「地面の中に隠れていて、マリオが近づくとポーンと飛び出してくる。チョロチョロとすばしっこく、モグラのくせに地上でもやたらと元気がいい。地下の世界には巨大化したやつもいる。」 (It hides in the ground, and when Mario approaches, it pops out. It is very cheerful, and even though it is a mole, it is very energetic even above the ground. There are also giant ones in the underground world.) – Monty Mole's description (May 27, 1991). Super Mario 4koma Manga Theater. Enix (Japanese). ISBN 4-900527-66-1.
  6. ^ ThatAODude (March 4, 2018). Kirin lemon ( Mario edition )- kirin - 1991. YouTube. Retrieved September 28, 2021.
  7. ^ August 1991. Nintendo Mario Mania Player's Guide. Nintendo of America (American English). Page 51.
  8. ^ Super Mario World Shogakukan guide. Shogakukan (Japanese).
  9. ^ Stratton, Bryan (February 26, 2002). Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2–Prima's Official Strategy Guide. Prima Games. ISBN 0-7615-3913-1. Page 13.
  10. ^ November 20, 1994. Perfect Ban Mario Character Daijiten. Shogakukan (Japanese). ISBN 4-09-259067-9. Page 41Media:PEGMCE page 41.png.
  11. ^ あなたのギモン　その１３. Camelot (Japanese). Archived December 9, 2000, 08:09:00 UTC from the original via Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  12. ^ Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2 end credits
  13. ^ July 4, 2018. Super Mario Encyclopedia. Soleil Productions (French). ISBN 2302070046. Page 54.
  14. ^ Menold, Marcus, Claude M. Moyse, and Andreas G. Kämmerer, editors (1993). Der offizielle Nintendo Spieleberater "Super Mario World". Großostheim: Nintendo of Europe GmbH (German). Page 19.
  15. ^ November 15, 2018. Super Mario Bros. Enciclopedia. Magazzini Salani (Italian). ISBN 889367436X. Page 55.
[Edit]
Monty Moles and relatives
Characters Big Montgomery • Chitei Kaijū Indy • Choropū Chika Butai • Choropū (Haha) • Choropū (Kodomo-tachi) • Choropū-san • Choropū Shinrin-tai • Choropū the Picasso • Choropūko • Chorozairu • Gattai monster • Monty Bros. • Monty Mole auctioneer • Monty Tank • Pakkun Mogura • Pūko • Sphinx Zō
Species Big Monty Mole • Choropū Men'iwa • Mawful Mole • Mega Mole • Metal Mawful Mole • Mole (presenter) • Monty Mole • Monty Mole (Flower Fields) • Monty Mole Patch • Monty Mole Swooper • Morty Mole
Other relatives Ragumo • Rocky Wrench
[Edit]
Super Mario World / Super Mario World: Super Mario Advance 2
Protagonists Mario • Luigi • Princess Toadstool • Yoshi • Red Yoshi • Blue Yoshi • Yellow Yoshi • Baby Yoshi • Dolphin
Bosses Koopalings (Iggy Koopa · Morton Koopa Jr. · Lemmy Koopa · Ludwig von Koopa · Roy Koopa · Wendy O. Koopa · Larry Koopa) • Bowser • Reznor • Big Boo
Items 1-Up Mushroom • 3-Up Moon • Berry • Bonus Coin • Cape Feather • Coin • Control Coin • Dragon Coin • Yoshi's Egg • Fire Flower • Gray Coin • Lakitu's Cloud • Magic ball • Power Balloon • Super Mushroom • Super Star • Yoshi's Wings
Objects ! Switch • Arrow Sign • Beanstalk • Blue Door • Bonus block • Bridge • Empty Block • Bubble • Cloud Block • Coin Block • Coin countera • Count-Lift • Diagonal platform • Dotted-Line Block • ! Block • Fence • Flimsy Lift • Flying Platform • Flying Prize Block • Grab Block • Gray Block • Gray P Switch • Hidden Block • Ice Block • Note Block • Jumping Board • Key • Lift • Message Block • ON/OFF Switch • Piston Lift • Prize Block • Revolving Door • Rope • Rotating Block • Roulette Block • Semisolid Platform • Single Swing Lift • Skull Raft • Snake platform • Spring platform • Star Road • Stretch Block • Switch Block • Triangular Block • Triple Swing Lift • Yellow Door • Yoshi Cloud
Worlds of Dinosaur Land Yoshi's Island • Donut Plains • Vanilla Dome • Twin Bridges • Forest of Illusion • Chocolate Island • Valley of Bowser • Star World • Special Zone
Moves Crouch • Dash • Fly • Jump • Shell Toss • Slide • Spin Jump • Stomp • Swallow • Swim
Enemies and obstacles Amazing Flyin' Hammer Brother • Ball 'N' Chain • Banzai Bill • Big Boo • Big Bubble • Big Steely • Blargg • Blurp • Bob-omb • Bony Beetle • Boo Buddy • Boo Buddy Block • Boo Buddy Snake • Boo Crew • Bowser Statue • Bullet Bill • Buzzy Beetle • Chainsaw • Chargin' Chuck • Cheep Cheep • Circling Boo Buddies • Climbing Koopa • Dino-Rhino • Dino-Torch • Disappearing Boo Buddy • Dry Bones • Eerie • Falling spike • Fire Snake • Fishbone • Fishin' Boo • Fishin' Lakitu • Floating Mine • Flying Goomba • Fuzzy • Goomba • Grinder • Hothead • Jumping Fire Piranha Plant • Jumping Piranha Plant • Koopa Paratroopa • Koopa Troopa • Lakitu • Lakitu in a Pipe • Lava • Lava Bubble • Lil Sparky • Magikoopa • Mechakoopa • Mega Mole • Monty Mole • Muncher • Ninji • Para-bomb • Para-Goomba • Pillar • Piranha Plant • Pit • Pokey • Porcu-Puffer • Rex • Rip Van Fish • Shell (flashing) • Skewer • Spike • Spike (Super Mario World) • Spike Top • Spiny • Spiny Egg • Sumo Brother • Super Koopa • Swooper • Thwimp • Thwomp • Torpedo Ted • Torpedo tube • Turtle Cannon • Unshelled Koopa • Urchin • Volcano Lotus • Wiggler
Other 1-Up Chamber • Bonus game • Bonus Star • Fall • Giant Gate • Item Stock • Keyhole • Midway Gate • Sand cloud • Timer • Tourist Tips
Miscellaneous Glitches • Mario Bros.a • Pre-release and unused content • Super Mario World (soundtrack album) • Nintendo Kōshiki Guidebook Super Mario World • SNES Staff • GBA Staff
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