Rom 1636 Pokemon Fire Red Squirrels (2025)

What does the term "Squirrels" mean in this hack? Unlike the standard Fire Red, which starts you with a choice of Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle, the Rom 1636 Pokemon Fire Red Squirrels version replaces nearly every wild Pokémon encounter and many trainer Pokémon with variations of Squirrel-based creatures.

Since no official "Squirrel Pokémon" exists (the closest are Pachirisu in Gen 4, or Greedent in Gen 8), the hacker created or inserted custom sprites. In the most famous version of this ROM, you will find: Rom 1636 Pokemon Fire Red Squirrels

This hack is often classified as a "simple palette swap with overpowered stats" or a "creepypasta-inspired mod." What does the term "Squirrels" mean in this hack

Yes, but only for specific audiences:

The Squirrels ROM is a novelty. It is a piece of internet history that shows how a simple joke can turn into a searchable cult classic. It is unbalanced, glitchy, and utterly bizarre. But for a few hours of laughing as your "Flying Squirrel" uses "Nut Throw" against Lance’s Dragonite, it is an unforgettable ride. This hack is often classified as a "simple

Pokémon has no species called “Squirrel” in English. The closest official creatures are:

So why would a Fire Red hack reference squirrels?