Assuming you locate the actual patch file (named 1636_squirrels.bps ), here is the safe method:
The "Squirrels" v1.0 ROM is the most widely used foundation in the Pokémon ROM hacking community because of its stability and for being the most compatible version with hacking tools. It is the required base for hundreds of major hacks, including:
"It’s stupid. It’s so stupid. But watching a squirrel Surf across the map to fight a Snorlax that has been reskinned as a giant Acorn? Peak comedy. The 1636 build is stable, no crashes." – u/NutCollector99
: Load your newly created game file into a trusted emulator like mGBA for PC or My Boy! for Android. Legal and Safety Precautions
: A notoriously difficult overhaul featuring modern battle mechanics, mega evolutions, and updated Pokémon rosters.
: Upload your clean Squirrels ROM into the "Base ROM" slot, and the mod patch into the "Patch file" slot.
Pokémon Fire Red Squirrels is a ROM hack of the classic Pokémon Fire Red game, released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance. The hack is based on the popular Pokémon Fire Red version, but with some significant changes.
Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes regarding ROM hacking and emulation. Always support the creators by owning the original physical game.
In the ROM hacking community, it is considered the "gold standard" base because most major mods and total conversions are designed specifically to be patched onto this version. Why "Squirrels" is Important Version 1.0 vs 1.1
: Because "1636 Pokemon Fire Red Squirrels" is a high-traffic search term, malicious websites often disguise viruses or adware as ROM downloads. Never download files that execute as .exe , .msi , or .apk files. A real Game Boy Advance ROM will always end in a .gba extension (or come compressed inside a standard .zip or .rar archive). To help you get started with your project, tell me: Which ROM hack are you planning to build with this base?
The 1636 Squirrels dump is universally preferred because it is a of the game. If you use a v1.1 dump, a European region dump, or a file that has been poorly compressed, the memory addresses shift. Patching a mod onto the wrong base file results in immediate glitches, black screens, or game crashes. Technical Specifications Specification Game Title Pokémon FireRed Version (USA) Release Number Dumper/Source File Extension .gba Original File Size 16.0 MB (16,777,216 bytes) CRC32 Hash DD88761C MD5 Hash E26EE5B4EBE3A3554F3159021F74E8A1