Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Wanted! Monty Mole places you in the burrowing shoes of Monty, an ambitious mole with a single mission: infiltrate the coal mines, swipe every last lump of coal, and topple the oppressive coal barons. Controls are straightforward—left, right, up, and down—but mastering them in tight underground caverns takes practice. You’ll quickly learn that timing is everything, whether you’re avoiding spike traps, acid pools, or that relentless crusher descending from above.

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The Commodore 64 version introduces a smooth side-scrolling mechanic, so the environment constantly shifts as Monty scuttles through winding tunnels. Unlike the static screens of its Spectrum cousin, this scrolling adds tension—enemy snails, rock falls, and poison gas vents can pop into view with little warning. Your only buffer is the energy bar: every collision, misstep, or fall chips away at Monty’s vitality.

Energy management becomes a game in its own right. Scattered boxes of worms act as health pickups, rewarding exploration and quick reactions. If Monty runs out of energy, it’s back to the start of the level—and with each mine becoming more labyrinthine, that can mean replaying sizeable chunks of the game. Thankfully, level design is punchy and varied, offering secret alcoves and branching paths to keep you on your paws.

Graphics

On the C64, Wanted! Monty Mole shines with vibrant colors and crisp sprite work. Monty himself is delightfully animated, his comical eyes widening whenever danger looms. The rich palette differentiates background rock strata, acid pools glow eerily, and text screens between levels sport jaunty pixel art reminders of your mole’s next target.

The scrolling backgrounds not only look impressive but also serve gameplay by hinting at upcoming hazards. Animated trapdoors clack open just before you walk under them, and rotating crushers cast dynamic shadows that ratchet up the suspense. While simple by today’s standards, these visual cues feel polished and purposeful, ensuring you’re never left guessing what lies ahead.

Compared to the Spectrum release, the C64’s hardware affords smoother animations and a more varied tileset. Subtle details—like dripping stalactites or shifting mine carts—lend the levels life. Even if acid pools are uniformly green, a shimmer effect makes them seem perilous, and the contrast against darker rock walls helps guide your path through the labyrinth.

Story

Don’t expect a novel-length narrative—wanted posters and brief interstitial screens set the scene before each mission. Monty Mole’s quest is simple: liberate stolen coal from tyrannical industrialists. What the story lacks in complexity, it makes up for with charm and punchy motivations. You can almost hear Monty muttering to himself about giving those fat cats a taste of their own medicine.

Each level’s backdrop hints at the broader narrative. Early mines feel half-built, with wooden scaffolding and cart tracks under construction. Later stages are more industrialized, with steel girders and massive furnaces looming overhead, underscoring the game’s sneaky critique of unchecked coal production.

By the final stages, the visuals and setup suggest Monty is nearing the heart of the coal operation. While there’s no climactic cutscene, planting that last explosive charge feels like a triumphant story beat in its own right. For a mid-80s platformer, the minimal plot serves as a perfect frame for the core action rather than a barrier to jumping in.

Overall Experience

Wanted! Monty Mole on the Commodore 64 offers a satisfying blend of challenge and charm. The controls are tight, the levels are thoughtfully designed, and the energy-bar mechanic adds a layer of strategy that pushes you to learn each layout. It’s easy to get hooked trying to beat your own best time while conserving every last drop of energy.

Graphically and sonically, the C64 edition elevates the core game with lively sprites, dynamic backgrounds, and a catchy chip-tune soundtrack that drives you forward. Though sometimes punishing—acid pools and crushers can feel unforgiving—the sense of progression keeps frustration at bay. Collecting boxes of worms and discovering secret paths provides small victories that keep you invested.

Whether you’re a retro enthusiast or a newcomer curious about 8-bit platformers, Wanted! Monty Mole delivers an engaging underground romp. Its straightforward premise, coupled with tight gameplay and colorful presentation, makes it a standout example of C64 platforming at its finest. Grab your joystick, stock up on worms, and prepare for a mole-driven adventure that’s as deep in thrills as those winding coal tunnels.

Retro Replay Score

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