Monty Mole

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A Monty Mole in Mario Party Advance.

Monty Moles are surly moles that have appeared in several Mario games, including a few side-scrollers such as Super Mario World. They later reappeared in Super Mario 64, Paper Mario, and other recent titles. In these games, Monty Moles are generally cowards who throw rocks at Mario and then burrow underground before he can counter-attack.

Monty Moles were major opponents in Super Mario Sunshine. They acted as mini-bosses in the game. Each Monty Mole manned a single cannon, attacking Mario with Bullet Bills and Bob-ombs. As such, Monty Moles appear to be very technologically advanced.

Monty Moles appeared as obstacles in the Moo Moo Farm course of Mario Kart 64. In this game, they were called Chubbies. Monty Moles were also obstacles in Super Mario Kart and Mario Kart DS, where they were referred to by their canonical name. In the Mario Kart DS mission 3-6, the player's task is to hit five Monty Moles.

History

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

Monty Moles chronologically first appeared in Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time. One is encountered in the Gritzy Desert, and will prevent the four Mario Bros. of past and present from progressing unless they can complete the mole's challenge. Two more are seen in the underground region of the Koopaseum. The two run an Item Shop. Additionally, deep in the Gritzy Caves, two more Monty Moles run two more challenges that must be completed.

Super Mario World

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Artwork of Monty Mole from Super Mario World.

Super Mario World featured regular Monty Moles that would pop out of random spots in the ground to surprise Mario. The game also featured Mega Moles, giant Monty Moles Mario could actually ride on to get across obstacles.

Super Mario 64 (DS)

Monties appeared in Hazy Maze Cave during the events of Super Mario 64 (DS). They would throw rocks at Mario and then disappear underground. In the cave, Monty Moles specifically resided in a toxic maze filled with poisonous fog. This fog made it harder to see and attack the moles. They also appeared in a section of the level Tall Tall Mountain. Interestingly, if Mario defeated many Monty Moles in a row, he would be rewarded with a 1-Up Mushroom.

Paper Mario

During the events of Paper Mario, Monty Moles appeared at Mt. Rugged. They attacked by throwing rocks at Mario. If Monty Mole successfully hurts Mario outside battle, the enemy will make the First Strike thus hurting Mario unless he blocks the attack from reducing. In one of the walls of the mountain, there is a Monty Mole-shaped hole, through which an endless stream of moles can pop out. There was also a stronger, green variety of Monty Mole found in Flower Fields. However, these stronger moles were still named Monty Moles. When they are defeated, they occasionally drop a Honey Syrup.

Super Mario Sunshine

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A Monty Mole, as depicted in Super Mario Sunshine.

Monty Moles (or perhaps the same Monty Mole) appear twice in Super Mario Sunshine: once in Pinna Park and the other time in Noki Bay. The mole would shoot Bullet Bills and Missile Bills from a cannon at Mario, as well as toss Bob-ombs at the plumber.

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

Monty Moles are actually portrayed as friendly creatures in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga, where they can be found in well hidden locations throughout the game. If Mario or Luigi reached a Monty Mole's chamber, it would give them a prize of some sort, such as clothing, items or badges. The Monty Moles of Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga are golden in color, they also wore red bow ties.

Yoshi Touch & Go

In Yoshi Touch & Go, Monty Moles appear as somewhat common enemies, attacking Yoshi in a manner similar to their attack pattern from Super Mario World; leaping from the ground or by charging at Yoshi. Here, Monty Moles could be defeated by either jumping on them, throwing an egg at them or by incasing them in a circle with the Nintendo DS's Stylus.

Mario Superstar Baseball

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Monty Mole getting ready to bat in Mario Superstar Baseball.

Monty Moles also appeared in Mario Superstar Baseball as an unlockable character. Oddly enough, they are members of Mario's team. They have the ball dash ability, which allows them to run extremely fast while in possession of the baseball.

New Super Mario Bros.

In New Super Mario Bros., Monty Moles appeared in a mini-game titled "Whack-a-Monty". Monty Tank, a Monty Mole riding a tank, is the boss of the World 6 Castle.

Mario Strikers Charged

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Monty Mole in Mario Strikers Charged.

Monty Moles is a sidekick in Mario Strikers Charged. They are Power Players, which means they are good at shooting and tackling, but cannot pass very well. Their Skillshot is Dirt Drill, where they go underground with the ball, dig towards the goal, and pop up near the Goalie, and shove him aside, shoving the ball into the goal. Sometimes, the Goalie will block Monty Mole, shove Monty Mole into an Electric Fence, and the move will fail. This happens to be their second playable appearance in a sports title.

Appearances in Other Media

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Several Monty Moles, pinning Cheatsy Koopa to the ground in the Super Mario World episode "Gopher Bash".

Cartoons

Monty Moles, though never called as such and always referred to as Gophers, appeared in the episode "Gopher Bash" of the Super Mario World animated series.

In the episode, several Monty Moles acted as minions of Cheatsy Koopa, aiding him in his plot to steal all the crops grown by the cave-people of Dome City. These Monty Moles are eventually defeated by Mario, Luigi and Yoshi, who, after tracking Cheatsy down, sneak up on the moles, tie them up, and suspend them from the ceiling. The Monty Moles are then dropped on top of Cheatsy Koopa, pinning him to the ground.

Comics

In the Super Mario Adventures comic, several Monty Moles are sent by Bowser to attack Princess Toadstool's Castle; these Monty Moles, along with the rest of the monsters sent by Bowser, are defeated by Mario and Luigi.

Later in the comic, a Monty Mole, wearing a blue tuxedo, is seen among the attendees in Bowser's wedding to a brainwashed Princess Toadstool.

Trivia

• The Mukumukus of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars possess an attack pattern similar to the Monty Moles of Super Mario World and Super Mario 64, popping out of the ground and throwing objects; Mukumukus also have a slight resemblance to Monty Moles.
• Monty Moles are commonly associated with speed; not only can Monty Mole perform the ball dash in Mario Superstar Baseball, but also most Monty Moles in Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time run speed-related obstacles. These constant references to fast Monty Moles may be throwbacks to Super Mario World, where Monty Moles could move at fast (but slippery) speeds.
• The boxart of the game NES Open Tournament Golf depicts what resembles a Monty Mole, though much smaller in size.
• Monty Moles are shop keepers in Mario Party DS.