This patch essentially tells your computer: "Go to memory address X in the original game and change it to Y." If you use the wrong base ROM (like a v1.1 or a European version), those memory addresses won't match. This results in the game crashing or failing to boot. Popular Hacks That Use the 1636 Base
Many of the most popular Pokémon fan-made experiences are built directly on top of the 1636 base: 1636 fire red rom
While it is the base game itself and not a mod with new gameplay features, it is the industry standard foundation for nearly all major Pokémon ROM hacks. Why 1636 (Squirrels) is Significant Most modern Pokémon ROM hacks are distributed as patch files This patch essentially tells your computer: "Go to
For developers looking to "develop a text" or modify scripts within this ROM, specialized tools are used: Why 1636 (Squirrels) is Significant Most modern Pokémon