Name: Robo-Mouse
Debut: Wario Land 3
Hey, hey! Didja hear? The Chinese New Year not only cycles through twelve zodiac animals, it also cycles through five different elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water! 2020 is not only the year of the rat, but the year of the metal rat! So how better to celebrate than a rat made of metal?
I hear you, I hear you! This is a mouse, not a rat! It says right there in the name! I’ve definitely made my rather controversial outlook clear in the past, but I’m not talking about that anymore! This time I’m actually justified, because the Chinese character for rat and mouse are one and the same (鼠), meaning this is the year of the rat AND the mouse! And by extension, the year of the metal mouse (or an Iron Mouse, perhaps?)! If you have a problem with that, take it to the Chinese language, ya stinker.
So if this is a mouse, then why is it clearly a mole? I’ve uh, run out of excuses here. I actually have no idea! Look, I didn’t name it! I was just looking through the Rodents category on the Mario Wiki!
Wait, moles aren’t even rodents, are they? Mole-rats are though! But this is a mole-mouse! Aaaaugh... you know, you know, let’s just skip this part of the post. Next topic!
Gee willy, I hadn’t expected them to be as big as they are! They’re quite nasty enemies y’see, chasing down Wario on sight, and they’re willing to break down a few walls to get to him. That’s where their Japanese name comes from- Oikake, derived from oikakeru, meaning to chase! If they catch you they don’t actually do damage though- even worse, they kick you out of whatever cave area you’ve found yourself in! Forcing you to play it again! Not cool. But at least they aren’t as bad as Cursya.
But like, if the sprite is as large as it is, how did the localisation team confuse it for a mouse? Could it be the tail? But we all know moles are the only cartoon mammals to wear shades- it’s character design 101! Just look at Mole Mania! Well, I promised to stop going on about that. This is a mouse. You all have to accept it! For rat week. You know.



















