I believe you're referring to a ROM hack or fan-made modification of Pokémon FireRed titled “1636 - Pokemon Fire Red Squirrels” (or similar). However, after checking multiple reputable ROM databases, hack repositories (like PokeCommunity, Romhacking.net), and archives of numbered releases (e.g., No-Intro, GoodSets), no official or widely known hack exists under that exact name and number.
Here’s a complete breakdown of what I can verify and what you might be confusing it with:
The hack is infamous for its difficulty. The third gym leader (Lt. Surge) replaces his Pikachu with a level 36 Thunder Squirrel that knows Extreme Speed and Nut Bomb. Players who search “1636 Pokemon Fire Red Squirrels” are usually looking for a walkthrough for this specific hack. 1636 Pokemon Fire Red Squirrels
Where to find it?
The original download link is dead, but archived versions live on romhacking.net under the ID #1636 (coincidentally). A direct search for that archive ID yields the patch file.
Published by: The Pokemon Archaeologist
Reading time: 7 minutes I believe you're referring to a ROM hack
If you’ve stumbled across the search term "1636 Pokemon Fire Red Squirrels" , you are probably one of three things: a dedicated ROM hack enthusiast, a player who encountered a bizarre glitch, or someone who misremembered a fever dream. On the surface, this keyword seems like nonsense. After all, Pokemon Fire Red (2004) for the Game Boy Advance has no squirrel-type Pokemon—except for the Pikachu line (electric mice) or Sentret (a raccoon dog).
So what does "1636" mean? Why "Squirrels"? And why is this phrase gaining traction in obscure forums like PokeCommunity, GameFAQs, and certain Reddit threads? What makes this hack unique
In this article, we will dissect the three most plausible explanations: 1) A statistical damage calculation glitch, 2) A famous ROM hack named "1636 Squirrel Edition," and 3) A creepypasta hoax.
The "Squirrels" ROM is not just one file; it is a lineage of corrupted files passed around over a decade. You will often see it called:
Note: If you download a ROM with "Squirrels" in the title, you are downloading a bootleg. Legitimate, high-quality ROM hacks that actually succeed in adding later generations to FireRed (like Pokémon Liquid Crystal, Pokémon Emerald Enhanced, or Pokémon Unbound) do not use the Squirrels engine.