Monty Mole

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Presenter

Hello Mole

Monty Mole's Super Mario Wiki article

Monty Mole is an enemy species that was added to ORP in Update #13 and remodeled in Update #23. Its first appearance was in Nintendo's *Super Mario World* for the SNES (1990).

### Species Information and History

Monty Moles are the most common mole species throughout the *Mario* world, with many variants and relatives across several kingdoms. The Monty Mole species dates back long ago, originating from an ancient land called the Pū Tairiku. Monty Moles may have began working for Bowser to give them protection from being preyed upon by Yoshi, turning against the wildlife of Dinosaur Land.

### Design

Monty Mole's current design originated from *Super Mario 64 DS* (2004), although it was not the main design until around mid-2005. The classic design with sunglasses originated from artwork in *Super Mario World*. This Monty Mole design was primarily used in media during the 1990's and most N64 *Mario* games, but it was phased out during the early 2000's (with only small references to it appearing in other media).

### Alignment and Residence

Monty Moles commonly work for Bowser, though a scrapped Monty Mole King from *Paper Mario: Sticker Star* could have been the true leader of the species (or still possibly one of Bowser's henchmen). Bowser's Monty Moles primarily help dig for valuable minerals, as seen with those in Breezy Tunnel. Not all Monty Moles work under Bowser, however: the friendly moles from Gritzy Desert and the friendly Presenter species are notable examples. Others worked for other villains, like the Mawful Mole species and the Monty Bros. working for Fawful (with the latter betraying Bowser in the process). According to a Nintendo Super Secret card, Monty Moles dislike plumbers due to a hatred towards leaky pipes. Like some other enemy species, Monty Moles have their own *Mario Party 9* constellation, named Hello Mole, based off a celebrated member of their species. They usually inhabit caves or the insides of hills, but they also may reside in plains and farms. There is an official rumor that Mega Moles and Monty Moles also inhabit an unseen underground city, though where it is located remains a mystery.

### Abilities and Weaknesses

Monty Moles have two primary ways of attacking: either jumping out of the ground and chasing the player, or throwing rocks from a distance. They are vulnerable to accidentally running off of ledges due to their charging lacking much friction. They are also not particularly bulky, meaning that they can be defeated by a variety of attacks without many particular strengths or weaknesses. Monty Moles also have the ability to sleep for at least three whole years without needing any food or water.

## Alternative Forms

### Super Mario-kun

#### Design History

Monty Moles in *Super Mario-kun* are faithful to their appearances in the games, although there have been unique roles that Monty Moles were given. Monty Moles would exclusively use their sunglasses design (albeit with a more round design) seen in artwork from the *Super Mario World* (1990) artwork for Volumes 1-13, but they would get several unique designs afterwards. In Volume 14, they gain three hairs, a more mouse-like nose, but still retain their sunglasses. In Volume 17, the *Mario Kart 64* (1996) portion would keep their sunglasses design, while the *Super Mario 64* (1996) portion would use their design from that game. In Volume 18, Monty Moles would gain a modern design, having the same body, but with open eyes and a buck tooth (which coincidentally greatly resembles the modern Monty Mole design that they predated). The original design would be referenced in Volumes 18, 23, 27, and 55, but otherwise the modern design would be used for every volume after 18 (with the exception of Volume 27). The Monty Mole in *Super Mario Sunshine* was also redesigned to use the modern *Super Mario-kun* design (although still keeping the hat). Monty Moles also have a confirmed afterlife in this media, as seen in Volumes 4, 5, and 55 which feature various ghost variants of Monty Moles.

### Paper Mario

#### Species Information

*Paper Mario* Monty Moles retain a similar design to the sunglasses design which was seen in artwork for *Super Mario World*, though have orange noses. They have two forms: Mt. Rugged Monty Moles, and Flower Fields Monty Moles. Despite English sources calling the Mt. Rugged and Flower Fields Monty Moles by the same name, the Japanese version of *Paper Mario* gave the Flower Fields Monty Moles a unique name (Furawā Choropū (フラワーチョロプー)), implying that they are a separate species.

#### History

The Monty Moles are native inhabitants of Mt. Rugged, throwing rocks at those who come near. However, some Monty Moles from Mt. Rugged would later inhabit Flower Fields, and ate Petunia's roots. The roots from Petunia made the Monty Moles grow to have green fur and more health than the ones back in Mt. Rugged. When Mario arrived at Flower Fields, Petunia told Mario about the Monty Moles harming her, and he defeated them.

#### Alignment and Residence

These Monty Moles appear to work for Bowser due to sporting shades also worn by his Koopa Troopas. However, Goombario states that the shades may also be for protection from the sun or style. Monty Moles primarily live in Mt. Rugged, though it is heavily implied by Goombario and *Nintendo Power* that some of the Monty Moles living in Mt. Rugged would move to Flower Fields and evolve to become bulkier and grow green fur.

#### Abilities and Weaknesses

The Mt. Rugged Monty Moles use the same methods of attacks as most other Monty Moles, either by chasing away people or throwing rocks at them. According to Goombario, they are especially dirty fighters. Both Mt. Rugged and Flower Fields Monty Moles are considered intimidating by Mushroom Kingdom residents, which may give them an advantage in fighting; however, they are vulnerable to any form of attack, and not particularly strong. Flower Fields Monty Moles possess the same attack pattern as their Mt. Rugged cousins.

## Gallery

A Monty Mole from the Super Mario Daishuugou volume for 4koma Gag Battle.The fall variant Monty Mole's originLuigi-Faced Monty Mole's origin
## Trivia

* Monty Moles (along with Goombas and Bob-ombs) have been voiced by Charles Martinet, as their voice clips are heavily edited versions of Mario saying "Here we go!" from *Super Mario 64*. This was used for Monty Mole as their current voice in most games (with some exceptions).
* The unused sprite for Monty Mole in *Super Paper Mario* (2007) may be based off the original *Paper Mario's* Monty Mole design instead of the modern *New Super Mario Bros.* design.

Character created by Nintendo, model created by Dork.

1. ↑  Third *Super Mario Kart* volume of *KC Mario*
2. ↑ Nintendo Super Secret card
3. ↑ "These pesky varmints burst unexpectedly out of the ground to terrorize the Mario brothers. Rumor has it that there are giant ones living in the moles' underground city." - Monty Mole's description in the *Denizens of Dinosaur Land* poster.
4. ↑ "I crawled into that rock to take a nap. That was three years ago. Thanks for the wake-up, pal. Here's a little somethin' for the effort." - Monty Mole, *Paper Mario: The Origami King*
5. ↑ "You'll encounter Monty Mole again in Petunia's garden, and eating all those tasty roots has been good for him. His Heart Points are much higher than the Monty Moles on Mt. Rugged, but luckily for Mario his attack remains rather weak." - *Paper Mario Official Nintendo Player's Guide*, page 108
6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e4PUW0CQag