Squirtle

For fighter info, see Squirtle (SSBB) and Squirtle (SSBU).

Squirtle
Official artwork of Squirtle from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen Versions.
Universe	Pokémon
Debut	Pokémon Red and Green Versions (1996)
Smash Bros. appearances	Melee Brawl SSB4 Ultimate
Most recent non-Smash appearance	Pokémon Sleep (2023)
Console/platform of origin	Game Boy
Species	Squirtle
Gender	Varies
Place of origin	Kanto
Designed by	Atsuko Nishida
English voice actor	Michele Knotz
Japanese voice actor	Rikako Aikawa
French voice actor	Virgine Demians (Brawl) Jean-Marc Delhausse (Ultimate)
German voice actor	Klaus Münster
Korean voice actor	Shin Yong-woo
Article on Bulbapedia	Squirtle (Pokémon)

Squirtle (ゼニガメ, Zenigame) is the Tiny Turtle Pokémon from the Pokémon series. It debuted in the series' first generation as Kanto's first stage Water-type starter Pokémon, and is present as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (via Pokémon Trainer).

Origin

Official artwork of Squirtle from Pokémon Red and Green Versions.

Squirtle is a small, blue, bipedal turtle-like creature, and is categorized within the Pokédex at #007 as the "Tiny Turtle Pokémon". Squirtle is the Kanto region's Water-type starter Pokémon. However, unlike in Pokémon Red, Green, and Blue, Squirtle is obtainable alongside its fellow Kanto starters Bulbasaur and Charmander under special conditions in Pokémon Yellow Version, and relatively early on in Pokémon X and Y. It evolves into Wartortle at level 16 onward, and into Blastoise at level 36 onward.

When a Squirtle hatches, its shell is soft, but forms and hardens over time until it becomes resilient enough that prodding fingers will bounce off it. When threatened, Squirtle withdraws into its shell and squirts out water with vigorous force. In addition to its defensive potential, Squirtle's shell has a rounded shape with grooves on its surface, which help minimize resistance in water and enable it to swim at high speeds. To hunt, it shoots water at its prey while underwater.

The Pokémon anime features a gang of Squirtles called the Squirtle Squad, who were all abandoned by their original Trainers and caused mischief as a result. They are identifiable by the round sunglasses they wear, with the leader wearing triangular shades. After the Team Rocket trio caused a forest fire, Ash Ketchum rescued the leader of the Squirtle Squad and assisted the gang in putting out the flames. The Squirtle Squad became a heroic band of firefighters because of this, and the leader decided to join Ash's journey, becoming a reliable member of his original team.

In Super Smash Bros. Melee

Squirtle balloon in Poké Floats.

Squirtle makes a very brief cameo appearance in Super Smash Bros. Melee's introduction sequence. A giant balloon of Squirtle is also one of the many floating and bending "platforms" that are seen throughout Poké Floats. It is the first balloon in the stage and its head and arms are where the four fighters start off on at the beginning of the match.

Trophy

Squirtle features as a collectible trophy, unlocked as one of the 100+ trophies that can be collected randomly during normal play, such as in the Trophy Lottery and throughout the various Single-player Regular Matches.

Squirtle's trophy in Melee

Squirtle

Retreating into its shell and spitting water at its foes is Squirtle's trademark response to danger. It's one of the three Pokémon that trainers can receive from Professor Oak in Pokémon Red and Blue. Squirtle evolves into Wartortle and then Blastoise, ramping up its water powers with each evolution.

Pokémon Red & Blue (9/98)

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl

As a playable character

Squirtle, as it appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Squirtle appears as a playable character Super Smash Bros. Brawl. It is one of Pokémon Trainer's three Pokémon, alongside Ivysaur and Charizard.

According to Masahiro Sakurai, Squirtle wasn't originally chosen to be part of the Pokémon Trainer's team, as he had considered adding Blastoise to the game as a playable character and as part of the Pokémon Trainer's team of Pokémon (alongside Charizard and Ivysaur), but Squirtle was chosen instead after some reconsideration as Sakurai thought that having balance with the sizes and stages of evolution would be more appealing.

Squirtle can be switched into or out of battle via Pokémon Change, which operates similarly to Transform. Squirtle has three other special moves as well. Water Gun is a chargeable projectile that pushes opponents away, akin to F.L.U.D.D. Withdraw has Squirtle retreat into its shell, giving it super armor in the process, and charge forward. Waterfall is its recovery move. It performs Hydro Pump as part of Triple Finish, the Final Smash of Pokémon Trainer.

Trophy

Squirtle's trophy in Brawl

Squirtle

A Tiny Turtle Pokémon. In times of danger, it pulls its arms and legs inside its shell to protect itself from enemy attacks. When it conceals its neck, it also shoots a powerful stream of water from its mouth. Its shell not only protects its body, it also reduces water friction when it's in the water. When it levels up, it evolves into Wartortle.

: Pokémon Red/Blue

: Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen

Sticker

Name	Game	Effect	Fighter(s)
Squirtle	Pokémon series	Attack +41

Squirtle (Pokémon series)

In Super Smash Bros. 4

Squirtle, along with Ivysaur, did not return as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. 4. However, Squirtle does appear as a collectable trophy in both versions of Super Smash Bros. 4.

Trophy

In Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, the Squirtle trophy is part of the Pokémon Classics Trophy Box.

Squirtle's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS

Squirtle's trophy in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U

Squirtle

At the start of their Pokémon adventures, many aspiring trainers visit Professor Oak to choose one of three starter Pokémon. Squirtle's always a popular choice, what with it being so gosh-darn adorable. When it's in danger, though, it withdraws into its shell and spits a high-pressure burst of water—a bit less adorable.

: Pokémon Red & Pokémon Blue (09/1998)

: Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen (09/2004)

At the start of their Pokémon adventures, many aspiring trainers visit Professor Oak to choose one of three starter Pokémon. Squirtle's always a popular choice, what with him being so flipping adorable. When it's in danger, though, it withdraws into its shell and spits a high-pressure burst of water, which isn't quite so adorable.

: Pokémon Red/Blue (10/1999)

: Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen (10/2004)

In Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

As a playable character

Squirtle, as it appears in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Squirtle returns as a playable character as part of Pokémon Trainer, alongside Ivysaur and Charizard, in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Like Ivysaur and Charizard, it is no longer subject to stamina, and thus remains effective throughout a fight. Unlike Brawl, Pokémon Trainer is an unlockable character instead of a starter character.

Squirtle was previously considered the strongest party member of the Pokémon Trainer's team in Brawl, due to a combination of its quick mobility overall, fast attacks, and excellent aerial game, which made it a potentially viable contender in competitive play. Possibly as a result, Squirtle has received a mix of buffs and nerfs, but was nerfed overall. Unlike the other party Pokémon, Squirtle's moveset has been reworked into newer, different attacks, with many of its standard attacks being altered.

Spirit

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  414. Squirtle

Names in other languages

Language	Name
Japanese	ゼニガメ, Zenigame
English	Squirtle
French	Carapuce
German	Schiggy
Spanish	Squirtle
Italian	Squirtle
Chinese (Simplified)	杰尼龟, Zenigame
Chinese (Traditional)	傑尼龜, Zenigame
Korean	꼬부기, Kkobugi
Dutch	Squirtle
Russian	Сквиртл
Portuguese	Squirtle

Trivia

• Squirtle is the first playable starter Pokémon of a region's starter trio, as well as the only first staged starter Pokémon.
  • It and Pichu are also the only playable Pokémon to be in the first stage of their respective evolutionary lines.
• Squirtle and Ivysaur are the only Pokémon to have more than two Special Moves derived from one type.
• The Squirtle balloon in Poké Floats is, in actuality, Squirtle's 3D model from Pokémon Stadium.
• Squirtle is the only one of the Pokémon Trainer's Pokémon to lack a meteor smash.