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“Great granite gumdrops! I was in the middle of a spectacular nap! Why'd you have to wake me?”

Monty Moles (also known as Gophers in the cartoons) are surly moles that appear in several Mario games, including a few sidescrollers such as Super Mario World and New Super Mario Bros. Wii. They later reappear in Super Mario 64, Paper Mario, and other recent titles. In these games, Monty Moles are generally cowards who throw rocks at Mario and will then burrow underground before Mario can attack them.

Monty Moles are major opponents in Super Mario Sunshine, where they act as bosses. Only two of them appear in the game. Both of them man a cannon, attacking Mario with Bullet Bills and Bob-ombs. As such, Monty Moles appear to be very technologically advanced.

Monty Moles have connections to Rocky Wrenches of Super Mario Bros 3, Undergrunts of Super Mario Galaxy, and the Mole folk of Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars (which may be Monty Moles given a unique personality by Square).

History

Super Mario series

Super Mario Bros. 3

Although Monty Moles do not appear in the original version of Super Mario Bros. 3, in Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 and the Super Mario All-Stars remake, the Mushroom King of Ice Land is turned into a Monty Mole in the remakes by Lemmy Koopa.

Super Mario World

File:MontyMoleArt.jpg

Artwork of Monty Mole from Super Mario World.

Super Mario World features regular Monty Moles that pop out of random spots in the ground to surprise Mario or Luigi. Then they charge at him to attack. The game also features Mega Moles, giant Monty Moles that Mario can actually ride on to get across obstacles, but Mario can still be hit by one. Monty Moles can be defeated with any attack method, and can be eaten by Yoshi. Monty Moles also appear to be wearing glasses in this game.

Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS

Monty Mole in Super Mario 64.

Monty Moles appear in Hazy Maze Cave during the events of Super Mario 64 and Super Mario 64 DS. They throw rocks at Mario and then disappear underground. In the cave, Monty Moles specifically reside in a toxic maze filled with poisonous fog. This fog makes it harder for Mario too see and attack the moles. They also appear in a section of Tall Tall Mountain. Monty Moles in this game act similar to that of Rocky Wrenches by throwing rocks, when the Rocky Wrenches throw wrenches at Mario.

Super Mario Sunshine

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A Monty Mole, as depicted in Super Mario Sunshine.

Two Monty Moles (or possibly the same mole twice) appear in Super Mario Sunshine, in Pinna Park and Noki Bay. They are at the helm of large, red, dome-shaped cannons, firing Bullet Bills at Mario in the former, and Glorpedo down the cliffside in the latter. When Mario approaches the moles, they stop firing and toss Bob-ombs at him. They can be disabled using F.L.U.D.D., and tossing a Bob-omb at the moles three times defeats them. The only physical difference between the Monty Moles in this game and in other installments is the thinner, lankier arms they are depicted with.

The mole at Pinna Park is found in the episode The Beach Cannon's Secret at the far end of the beach past the Great Sunflower. After Mario defeats it, 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 onwards. In Noki Bay, the Monty Mole is at first blamed for the bay's pollution, as its cannon rests on a cork that is obstructing the bay's waterfall. Once Mario climbs to the top of the waterfall and defeats the Monty Mole, he is rewarded with a Shine Sprite. The Monty Mole is later revealed to not be fully responsible for the bay's pollution with the blame falling on Eely-Mouth.

These Moles manning of war machinery may be a throwback to Rocky Wrenches, who where manning all the machines in Super Mario Bros 3.

New Super Mario Bros.

Whack-a-Monty.

The Monty Tank.

Monty Tank, a Monty Mole riding a tank, is the boss of the World 6-Castle in New Super Mario Bros.. Monty Tank fires Bullet Bills and Bob-ombs. Mario or Luigi can defeat it by either jumping on its head when he comes out to throw a Bob-omb or to hit him with a fireball. If they jump on him, he will spin around his tank and shoot Bullet Bills all over the place and grows another cannon afterwards. He can be defeated when Mario or Luigi attack him three times.

They also appear in a minigame titled "Whack-a-Monty" where the player has to tap as many Monty Moles as he or she can in a certain amount of time. The player will gain a point if he or she whacks a Monty Mole and will lose three if he or she taps on Luigi.

Super Mario Galaxy / Super Mario Galaxy 2

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A regular Undergrunt in Super Mario Galaxy.

Although Monty Moles don't appear in Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2, similar enemies called Undergrunts are found in these two games.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii

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In New Super Mario Bros. Wii, Monty Moles first appear in World 6. 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 attack them. Kamek can also turn platforms into Monty Moles during his fight with Mario in World 8.

Super Mario 3D Land

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A Monty Mole (right) and Morty Mole from Super Mario 3D Land

Monty Moles reappear in Super Mario 3D Land. They only appear in 5-4, a cave level, in that level, as well as 7-4. This is their first appearance in a 3D game where they can run and not have their body in the ground. They patrol the area and attack Mario if he gets in their way. They can be defeated with a single stomp. A new bigger sub-species called Morty Moles also appears in a few cave levels such as 7-4 and to be defeated, they must be stomped on twice.

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, though they have a darker coloring.

Super Mario World TV series

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

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. They can also sing during Cheatsy's Life, a self-praising song.

Super Mario Adventures comic

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.

Mario Kart series

Chubby.

Monty Moles appear in Moo Moo Farm of Mario Kart 64 as obstacles. The instruction booklet referred each of them as a Chubby rather than Monty Mole. Monty Moles are also obstacles in Super Mario Kart, in Donut Plains 2 and Donut Plains 3. In Mario Kart DS, they are referred to by their canonical name, and mainly appear in Moo Moo Farm.

In the Mario Kart DS Mission 3-6, the player's task is to hit five Monty Moles. In Mario Kart Wii, they appear in Moo Moo Meadows and also appear as audience members in other courses. Mario Kart DS's Peach Gardens, which features Monty Moles, returns in Mario Kart Wii, still with them.

Paper Mario series

Paper Mario

Template:Pmenemybox During the events of Paper Mario, Monty Moles appear at Mt. Rugged. They attack Mario by throwing rocks at him. If Monty Mole successfully hits 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.

Stronger, green Monty Moles can also be found in Flower Fields. They are also known as "Monty Moles", however the Japanese version of the game gave them a different name from the regular Monty Moles.

Super Paper Mario

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A Monty Mole.

Monty Moles were going to appear in Super Paper Mario but were taken out for unknown reasons. They would have attacked Mario by popping out of holes in the wall (like in Super Mario World) and throwing rocks (like in the first Paper Mario game and Super Mario 64).

Paper Mario: Sticker Star

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The beta screenshot of the Monty Mole boss.

A crowned purple Monty Mole boss was intended to appear in Paper Mario: Sticker Star, but was taken out of the final game. However, Rocky Wrenches appear in the game.

Mario & Luigi series

Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga

A mole giving Mario and Luigi a 1-Up Super

A gold Monty Mole giving Mario and Luigi a 1-Up Super.

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 and Luigi reach a Monty Mole's chamber, it gives them a prize of some sort, such as clothing, items or badges. The Monty Moles in the game are golden in color, and wear red bow ties.

Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

Monty Moles chronologically first appear 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 his challenge. Two more are seen in the underground region of the Koopaseum and they both run an Item Shop. Additionally, deep in the Gritzy Caves, two more Monty Moles run two more challenges that must be completed.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story

A group of four Monty Moles, called the Monty Bros., appear in Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. They utilize a giant drilling machine to fulfill Bowser's orders and dig a tunnel below Toad Town. They don't make much progress however, so Bowser has to finish their duties.

The Monty Bros. later reappear in the Treasure Chamber in Bowser's Castle, betraying Bowser and claim that Fawful bribed them and ordered them to get rid of Bowser. They attack Bowser in a giant train called the Fawful Express. Bowser must defeat them in his giant form. If he succeeds, the falling chunks of the debris from the train will defeat the Monty Moles.

An enemy called Mawful Mole and a metallic sub-species can be also be found in this game; they are Fawfulized Monty Moles.

Mario Golf: Advance Tour

In Mario Golf: Advance Tour, a Monty Mole appears in Links Club Practice Center. The player must shoot three shots at it, to earn a Super Drink.

Yoshi Touch & Go

In Yoshi Touch & Go, Monty Moles appear as somewhat uncommon 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 encasing them in a circle with the Nintendo DS's stylus.

Mario Baseball series

Mario Superstar Baseball

Monty Mole getting ready to swing in Mario Superstar Baseball.

A Monty Mole also appears in Mario Superstar Baseball as an unlockable character. Oddly enough, it is a member of Mario's team. It has the ball dash ability, which allows it to run extremely fast while in possession of the baseball. In the crowd there is Monty Moles with yellow cheeks.

Mario Super Sluggers

Money Moles watching the game in the Mario Super Sluggers opening.

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.

Mario Party series

Mario Party 3

Monty Mole appears in Woody Woods in Mario Party 3. It switches the direction players move every turn.

Mario Party 5

In Mario Party 5, Monty Moles appear in the minigame Flatiator. They appear out of the ground to obstruct the team players while avoiding the single player. The one player on the ball can simply roll over them. One also appears in Pirate Dream.

Mario Party 6

The daytime version of Mole-it!

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 earn a team one point, and a golden Monty Mole gives the team three.

Mario Party 7

In Mario Party 7, a Monty Mole appears on the board Piramid Park. It appears when the player lands on the Green Space on the far right of the board, next to three pots. He offers to play a game of Whack-the-snake-and-not-the-mole. In the minigame Sphere Factor, three or four of them 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. Monty Moles also appear in the minigame Monty's Revenge, where they are the one whacking the players with hammers.

Mario Party 8

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The minigame, Crops 'n' Robbers from Mario Party 8.

Monty Mole makes another party appearance in Mario Party 8. This time a bunch of Montys appear in the minigame Crops 'n' Robbers where one player has to whack Montys that are in the holes, so the players can gainway. The other player has to collect the carrots to win the game.

Mario Party Advance

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A Monty Mole appears as a character in the town area of Shroom City in Mario Party Advance. It is found in the Town Game Room A, where it is shown trying to win the minigame, Scratch 'Em. The Monty Mole is unable to win, so Mario and his friends play the gambling-type minigame to help break its losing streak. Upon winning, Monty will reward the player with the minigame. The end of the game states that Monty Mole gave up on winning at the casino and got married.

Mario Party DS

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 mole.

Mario Party 9

In Mario Party 9, Monty Moles appear in the minigame Plunder Ground. They hold and shuffle the treasure chests the players try to earn points from. They also appear out of the holes in the minigame Hole Hogs. In addition, Monty Moles also have a constellation, named "Hello Mole." Monty Moles appear in Magma Mine as props.

Mario Strikers Charged

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Monty Mole in Mario Strikers Charged.

Monty Moles are 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. However, if the move is too close, Kritter will shove his hand into the ground and pull Monty Mole out, thereby blocking the shot. If the move is too far away, Kritter will simply catch the ball. This happens to be their second playable appearance in a sports title. In this game, they have headlights, something that is never seen in any other game they appeared in.

Mario Sports Mix

In Mario Sports Mix, a single Monty Mole only appears in the Western Junction court.