The official Nintendo Support Documentation lists the primary inclusions for the 1.6.0 update:
Added support for the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. Secondary Purpose: Performance enhancements. Full 1.6.0 Update Patch Notes
The update added rotational head tracking, allowing you to look around independently of Link's direction by moving your head.
While 1.6.0 was the final major content update of the original Nintendo Switch era, Nintendo has occasionally released later patches (up to 1.9.0) specifically to support subsequent hardware like the and system features like Zelda Notes . However, for millions of players, the 1.6.0 patch remains the definitive turning point that made exploring the vast kingdom of Hyrule smoother and faster than ever before. zelda botw 160 update full
If you have searched for the term , you are likely dusting off your Sheikah Slate or booting up your Wii U or Nintendo Switch for the first time in years. You might have heard rumors of a massive patch that changed Hyrule forever.
| System | Modification | |--------|----------------| | | Reduced stuttering in Korok Forest (CPU-heavy area) and Hyrule Castle’s exterior when using in-game screenshots. | | Save Data Structure | Expanded save file metadata to accommodate future compatibility with Tears of the Kingdom pre-order bonuses (speculative but logged by data miners). | | Physics Engine | Minor tweak to ragdoll collision detection – fixed a rare crash when a Stasis-launched object hit a Guardian’s leg at a specific angle. |
As with most major title updates, Nintendo baked in a series of minor technical remedies to improve the overall Hyrule experience: While 1
The secret behind the faster load times appears to have come from a change that was simultaneously introduced in , which went live around the same time as the game’s update. Dataminers and modders discovered that the new firmware featured a so-called "Boost Mode" . In certain scenarios—like loading screens—the system was allowing the Switch’s CPU to overclock from its standard 1GHz up to 1.75GHz . Since VR rendering often requires higher performance to maintain smooth frame rates, this boost likely remained active for the rest of the game, explaining why Breath of the Wild players suddenly experienced drastically reduced wait times.
: Loading times for fast travel were reduced by nearly half in some cases—dropping from roughly 26 seconds to just 14 seconds.
To experience the full extent of the 1.6.0 update's visual changes, you need a Nintendo Labo VR Kit. Here is how to turn it on: Pause the game and open the . Select Options . You might have heard rumors of a massive
When players started the game after downloading the patch, the most immediate thing they noticed was that everything loaded faster—much faster. Exiting a Shrine sped up from 17 seconds to just , and entering them dropped from 13 seconds down to 10 seconds . Fast traveling was suddenly snappier, and loading a save file from the title screen was reduced from 31 seconds to approximately 21 seconds .
While the 1.6.0 patch was generally well-received for its VR support and speed boosts, it did not arrive without a few hiccups. The community had to navigate a few specific issues that were introduced with this version.
: This update utilizes a "boost mode" for the Switch's CPU during loading screens, allowing the console to clock higher momentarily to process data faster. 3. How to Update To ensure you have the latest version: Connect your Nintendo Switch to the internet. On the Home Menu, highlight the Breath of the Wild icon and press the Software Update Via the Internet Nintendo Support 4. Summary of Version Changes Primary Feature Full VR support via Nintendo Labo Toy-Con Loading Speeds Drastically improved (nearly 2x faster in some cases) Compatibility Works with all existing save data Specific physics glitch fix for Dako Tah Shrine Are you planning to use the VR Goggles , or are you mostly looking for the faster loading speeds How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild