Monty Mole: Difference between revisions

|latest_appearance=''[[Tetris 99]]'' (27th Maximus Cup, cameo) (2021)<br>''[[Mario Party Superstars]]'' ([[List of games by date#2021|2021]], ''Super Mario'' franchise)

|variants=[[Big Monty Mole]]<br>[[Choropū Men'iwa]]<br>[[Mawful Mole]]<br>[[Mega Mole]]<br>[[Monty Mole (Flower Fields)]]<br>[[Monty Mole Patch]]<br>[[Monty Mole Swooper]]<br>[[Presenter]]

|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-->

|notable=[[Big Montgomery]]<br>[[Choropū Chika Butai]]<br>[[Choropū (Haha)]]<br>[[Choropū (Kodomo-tachi)]]<br>[[Choropū-san]]<br>[[Choropū Shinrin-tai]]<br>[[Choropū the Picasso]]<br>[[Chorozairu]]<br>[[Gattai monster]]<br>[[Monty Bros.]]<br>[[Monty Mole auctioneer]]<br>[[List of implied characters#Monty Mole king|Monty Mole king]]<br>[[Monty Tank]]<br>[[Pūko]]

'''Monty Moles''' are {{wp|fossorial}}<ref>{{media link|SMBD page 60.png|Page 60}} of 「スーパーマリオ{{hover|大図鑑|だいずかん}}」 (''Super Mario Bros. Daizukan'', or "''Super Mario Great Picture Book''") states of Choropoo: 「{{hover|土|つち}}の{{hover|中|なか}}でくらしている, {{hover|元気|げんき}}なモグラ。」 (''A peppy mole that lives under the ground.'')</ref> enemies who make frequent appearances in the [[Super Mario (franchise)|''Super Mario'' games]]. First appearing in ''[[Super Mario World]]'', they are moles who dart out of holes in the ground to either quickly pursue [[Mario]] or another character or to throw rocks at them. In several games, Monty Moles appear in {{wp|Whac-A-Mole}}-themed [[minigame]]s. Monty Moles seem to have initially been based on [[Rocky Wrench]]es from ''[[Super Mario Bros. 3]]'' (itself described as a mole-like turtle at the time), but Rocky Wrenches have since been redesigned to resemble Monty Moles.

{{multiframe|1=[[File:SMW_MontyMole.png|175px]][[File:SMW Monty Mole alt.png|100px]]|align=right|size=275|2=Artwork of Monty Moles from ''Super Mario World''}}

In ''Super Mario World'', Monty Moles are first encountered in the level [[Yoshi's Island 2]]. They pop out of random spots in the ground to surprise [[Mario]] or [[Luigi]] and will then chase after him persistently or walk and hop occasionally. The game also features [[Mega Mole]]s, giant Monty Moles that Mario can actually ride on to get across obstacles, but can still be hit by one. Monty Moles can be defeated by any attack method. In one artwork, they appear to be wearing sunglasses as well as having a short, gopher-like nose. However, in another artwork, they have visible, squinting eyes and long, mole-like noses. This game's graphics seem to depict the latter, though the jumping sprite depicts a slight split in the lip; further games typically used either one of these artworks as a design up until the redesign in ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. In [[List of Super Mario World pre-release and unused content|development builds]] of the game, Monty Moles had slightly different digging sprites from those in the final game.<ref>[[tcrf:Development:Super Mario World (SNES)/Sprites#Monty Mole|Development:Super Mario World (SNES)/Sprites]]. ''The Cutting Room Floor''. Retrieved September 28, 2021.</ref>

 

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|[[File:MontyMole64.jpg|150px]][[File:SM64DS Monty Moles TTM.png|135px]]|Monty Moles as they appear in ''Super Mario 64'' (left) and ''Super Mario 64 DS'' (right).|size=285

}}

Monty Moles appear in the [[Hazy Maze Cave]] and on [[Tall, Tall Mountain]] in ''[[Super Mario 64]]'' and ''[[Super Mario 64 DS]]''. In the cave, Monty Moles specifically reside in the toxic maze, though they remain outside the [[smoke|strange toxic cloud]]. Monty Moles in this game act similarly to [[Rocky Wrench]]es, albeit throwing rocks instead of wrenches before disappearing underground. If Mario, [[Yoshi]], Luigi, or [[Wario]] can defeat a certain number of Monty Moles in the game, a 1-Up Mushroom appears for him to collect.

In the original game, Monty Moles use their squinting design from ''Super Mario World'' but with an added pair of pronounced teeth, a black nose, and somewhat larger limbs. In the remake, they receive 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.

[[File:Monty Mole SMS.png|200px|thumb|A Monty Mole, as depicted in ''Super Mario Sunshine'']]

At [[Pinna Park]], the Monty Mole is found in the episode [[The Beach Cannon's Secret]] at the far end of the beach past the [[Great Sunflower]]. After Mario defeats him, he is able to jump into the cannon and access a secret course to get the [[Shine Sprite]]. A [[Pianta]] repairman replaces the Monty Mole from Episode 3 onward. In Noki Bay, the Monty Mole can be fought and defeated which rewards Mario with a [[Shine Sprite]].  

[[File:Whack-a-Monty.png|150px|thumb|Whack-a-Monty]]

[[File:NSMB MontyTank.png|200px|thumb|left|Monty Tank]]

Although Monty Moles are absent as regular enemies, [[Monty Tank]], depicted as a Monty Mole operating a [[tank]], is the boss of the {{world-link|6|castlen|World 6-Castle (New Super Mario Bros.)|World 6-Castle}} in ''[[New Super Mario Bros.]]''. The tank fires [[Bullet Bill]]s and [[Bob-omb]]s. Mario or Luigi can defeat it 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.

In ''[[New Super Mario Bros. Wii]]'', Monty Moles only appear in [[World 6-4 (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 6-4]]. Here, they retain their attack method from ''[[Super Mario World]]''. Once Mario and crew get near a Monty Mole's hiding spot, it will jump out of the wall and will try to charge into them. [[Kamek|Magikoopa]] can also turn platforms into Monty Moles during his fight with Mario in {{world-link|8|tower|World 8-Tower (New Super Mario Bros. Wii)|World 8-Fortress}}.

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

After an absence in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. 2]]'', Monty Moles once again appear in ''[[New Super Mario Bros. U]]''. They act the same as in previous games. They only appear in the levels [[Yoshi Hill]] and [[Magma-River Cruise]]. They also appear during [[Kamek|Magikoopa]]'s boss battle in [[Slide Lift Tower]]. Monty Moles are also featured in the [[Challenge Mode (New Super Mario Bros. U)|Challenge Mode]] levels [[Mole to Goal]] and [[Mole to Goal Returns]], where the goal is to transport a Monty Mole to the [[Goal Pole]].

 

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

Monty Moles retain their role from ''New Super Mario Bros. U'' in ''[[New Super Luigi U]]'' and appear in the levels [[Rolling Yoshi Hills]], [[Magmaw River Cruise]], and [[Stonecrush Tower]] as a part of [[Kamek|Magikoopa]]'s boss battle.

====''NES Open Tournament Golf''====

[[File:NESOTG cover NA.jpg|200px|thumb|The Monty Mole on the cover of ''NES Open Tournament Golf'']]

[[File:SMWM&YALEnemyGroup2.png|200px|thumb]]

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===''Super Mario World'' TV series===

[[File:Gopher Bash.png|thumb|left|Several "Gophers" pinning [[Larry Koopa|Cheatsy Koopa]] to the ground in the ''Super Mario World'' episode "Gopher Bash"]]

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In ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', they are referred to by their usual name, and mainly appear in N64 Moo Moo Farm and [[DS Peach Gardens|Peach Gardens]] with the same behavior as previous games.  

 

In [[Mario Kart DS#Missions|Mission]] 3-6, the player's task is to hit five Monty Moles.

In ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', they appear as obstacles in [[Wii Moo Moo Meadows|Moo Moo Meadows]] as well as <small>DS</small> Peach Gardens and also appear as audience members in other courses. They now appear much bigger, as well as digging under the ground before jumping out. However, they are stationary obstacles in DS Peach Gardens like in previous games. They originally had their model from ''Super Mario 64 DS'' and ''New Super Mario Bros.'', as well as a different jumping animation for a placeholder before being completely reworked in the final game.<ref>https://tcrf.net/Mario_Kart_Wii/Unused_Course_Objects</ref>

{{classic-link|SNES|Donut Plains 3}} and {{classic-link|Wii|Moo Moo Meadows}} return in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'' and ''[[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe]]'', bringing along the Monty Moles with them. They now dig around for some time before popping up, leaving trails like in ''Mario Kart Wii''. The trails that the Monty Moles leave can now also be used to perform [[trick]]s. This changes the gameplay of <small>SNES</small> Donut Plains 3 from the original version in ''Super Mario Kart'' where they would attach themselves to drivers who drove into them. In said track, the Monty Moles in the lake are replaced by [[Cheep Cheep]]s, and there are signs with a picture of a Monty Mole on them placed by the Monty Mole area. In [[Animal Crossing]] from the [[Animal Crossing x Mario Kart 8|''Animal Crossing'' x ''Mario Kart 8'']] DLC Pack, [[Mr. Resetti]] replaces Monty Moles to fit with the theme of the course. They also appear in {{classic-link|DS|Peach Gardens}} and {{classic-link|Tour|Amsterdam Drift}} in the [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass|''Mario Kart 8 Deluxe'' – Booster Course Pass]].

====''Yoshi's Safari''====

====''Game & Watch Gallery''====

Monty Moles (referred to as '''Chubbies''' in the cast credits) appear in ''[[Game & Watch Gallery]]'', in which they appear in the Modern version of ''[[Manhole (Game & Watch)|Manhole]]'', popping up on occasion to throw a [[1 UP Heart|heart]] at Yoshi.

====''Game & Watch Gallery 2''====

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 they appear, they throw a heart at Yoshi just like in the previous game.

[[File:MPA Monty Mole Artwork.png|thumb]]

Monty Mole appears as a character in the [[Town Area]] of [[Shroom City (Mario Party Advance)|Shroom City]] in ''[[Mario Party Advance]]''. He has a habit of making dirt-related puns, such as using the phrase "down-to-earth" on multiple occasions. According to his description, he loves to play games, but he dislikes losing his money in the process. When he is first encountered, he happily states that the [[Town Game Room A]] has much more to win than the [[Town Game Room B]], but quickly asks for the player's help afterwards. If they agree to help, he explains that he's fallen into a slump after playing the games for a while, and hopes that having the player win the game will end their slump. In exchange, they get to keep the minigame he keeps losing at, [[Scratch 'Em]]. Once they've won, Monty Mole is confident that his slump is over, thanks to the player's victory, and says that they might even outgame the [[Kamek|Game Mage]]. The ending of the game states that he stopped gaming and got married.

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Monty Moles appear again in ''[[Mario Party DS]]'' as owners of the shops. Once players enter the Warp Pipe, they can buy items from it. Monty Moles also appear in the minigame [[Mole Thrill]]. In this minigame, players have to dig with their partner through the dirt, while staying ahead of the mole. They also have a trophy and rival badge that can be unlocked.

Monty Moles reappear in ''[[Mario Party: Island Tour]]'' for the [[Nintendo 3DS]]. They appear as options to choose from in the minigames [[Match Faker]] and [[Tap Dash]]. They cameo in the background of [[Drive for Show]] and [[Bumper Thumper]]. A Monty Mole constellation (similar to Hello Mole from ''Mario Party 9'') can be seen in the minigame [[Starring Artist]]. In Perilous Palace Path, a Monty Mole appears near a Goomba Tower under the gray circle. If the Goomba Tower points to the right, the player standing on the gray circle will be thrown to the Bowser Zone by the mole.

[[File:Monty Mole Super Mario Party.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Monty Mole after clearing a challenge in [[Super Mario Party#Challenge Road|Challenge Road]]]]

They can also cameo in [[Absent Minded]] as one of the characters that can be chosen, though they only appear if no-one is playing as Monty Mole.

 

Monty Mole also appears as one of the puzzles in [[Puzzle Hustle]] in their ''Super Mario World'' sprite form.

 

Monty Moles can also occasionally be seen walking or running around in the background of Party Plaza.

In ''[[Mario Power Tennis]]'', a few Monty Moles can be seen among the crowd in the opening watching [[Wario]] and [[Waluigi]] be chased by the [[police]], and also in the crowd when Wario, Waluigi and [[Bowser]] attempt to destroy the stadium. Monty Moles also appear in the [[Chain-Chomp Challenge]] minigame, where they man cannons identical to the ones in ''[[Super Mario Sunshine]]''. The moles themselves, however, use the revamped ''Super Mario World'' design seen in previous [[Nintendo GameCube|GameCube]] games. They shoot tennis balls and [[Bomb (object)|bomb]]s at the players to hit back at the [[Chain Chomp]]s.

[[File:MSBMonty.png|thumb|Monty Mole getting ready to swing in ''Mario Superstar Baseball''.]]

 

In the sequel ''[[Mario Super Sluggers]]'', Monty Mole maintains its position as a member of Mario's team. While its best stat continues to be speed, its other stats are slightly below average. Monty Mole has good chemistry with [[Shy Guy]], [[Goomba]], and [[Paragoomba]], and doesn't have any bad chemistry with any other character. In the story mode of the game, Monty Mole can be found buried in the sand. If any of the team captains wakes it up, it asks why they did it, claiming that they are no match for [[Bowser Jr.]] and his minions, and challenges them to a baseball match. If defeated, Monty Mole will happily join the team. Monty Moles also appear in many of the cutscenes either being in the crowd or cheering Mario.

[[File:Monty Mole Bowser Jr MSC.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Monty Mole in ''Mario Strikers Charged'']]

===''Nintendo Badge Arcade''===

Monty Moles appear in ''[[Nintendo Badge Arcade]]'' as part of the ''Super Mario Maker'' arcade using their ''Super Mario World'' style sprites, as well as in the ''Super Mario Bros.'' arcade using their sprites in that game style from ''Super Mario Maker''.

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</ref>

|FraA=La taupe Monty (SNES ''[[Super Mario World]]'' manual)

|FraAM=The Monty mole

|Fra=Topi Taupe

|FraM=From "taupe" (mole)

|SpaA=Topo Monty<br>Monty Mole <small>(2007-2008)</small><br>

|ItaM=From "tana" (burrow), "tanta" (a lot of), and "talpa" (mole)

|KorM=From "쪼르르" (''jjoreureu'', a term for small creatures running fast) and "뚜" (''Ttu'', [[Rocky Wrench]])

|PorA=Monty Toupeira<br>Toupeira Monty<ref>[http://datassette.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/manuais/super_mario_world_br.pdf ''Super Mario World'' Brazilian instruction booklet], page 24.</ref>

|ChiS=胖鼹鼠<ref>[https://archive.org/details/Mario_Kart_64_2003_Nintendo_CN_Maliou_Kadingche/page/n13/mode/2up ''Mario Kart 64'' Chinese intruction booklet], page 26.</ref><br>''Pàng Yǎnshǔ''<br>黄鼹鼠<ref>无敌阿尔宙斯 (August 28, 2013). [http://tieba.baidu.com/p/2560204606 神游 超级马力欧世界 敌人官译]. ''Baidu Tieba''. Retrieved February 2, 2017.</ref><br>''Huáng Yǎnshǔ''<br>

|ChiSM=Fat Mole<br><br>Yellow Mole

*In the 54th issue of the UK's ''Official Nintendo Magazine'', Monty Moles were called "gophers."<ref>''Nintendo Official Magazine'' (UK) issue 54, page 23.</ref>

[[Category:Mario Sports Mix characters]]