Released in April 2019, the 1.6.0 update for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was designed to bring immersive virtual reality technology to the Nintendo Switch. This update was launched concurrently with the "Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit," which allowed players to build VR goggles out of cardboard and insert their Nintendo Switch console. Key Features of the 1.6.0 Update
In technical terms, Nintendo appears to have used this update to standardize how Breath of the Wild talks to the Switch hardware. Why? Two theories dominate:
If you search "BotW update 160" and end up in emulation forums, you are likely looking for performance fixes. Here is the reality:
Press the or - button on your controller to open the Options menu. Select Software Update , followed by Via the Internet .
It stands as a testament to Nintendo's willingness to experiment with their flagship titles long after launch. How to Ensure You Have the Update botw update 160
Look directly under the game's title text to find the .
The headline feature, allowing players to experience almost the entire game in VR.
Though not explicitly stated by Nintendo, digital analysts tracked subtle performance shifts after installing version 1.6.0. 1. Faster Fast-Travel Loading
Press the or - button on your Joy-Con controller to open the options menu. Select Software Update from the sidebar. Released in April 2019, the 1
(February 2026) added more language support, Version 1.6.0 remains a foundational patch for Switch users. Key Features of Update 1.6.0 Nintendo Labo VR Support : The primary addition was compatibility with the Toy-Con VR Goggles Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit
While the gameplay was entirely playable in VR, pre-rendered cutscenes generally remained in a 2D format to avoid nausea.
If you are returning to the game or verifying your software package, updating is simple: Connect your Nintendo Switch console to the internet.
The update introduced a technical feature called "boost mode," which temporarily overclocks the Nintendo Switch CPU when a loading screen triggers. This cuts wait times down across the board: Select Software Update , followed by Via the Internet
The Korok Forest is notorious for causing dramatic framerate drops on the Nintendo Switch due to the dense alpha effects on the fog and foliage. Update 1.6.0 introduced minor adjustments to asset culling. The engine now aggressively unloads assets that are completely out of Link’s line of sight, leading to slightly fewer frame drops when navigating the Lost Woods. How to Check and Update Your Game
: This specific version (1.6.0) is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch; the Wii U version of the game peaked at version 1.5.0. Comparison of Load Times (1.5.0 vs 1.6.0) Version 1.5.0 Version 1.6.0 Improvement Fast Travel ~26-31 Seconds ~14-17 Seconds ~45% Faster Entering Shrines ~8 Seconds ~6 Seconds ~25% Faster
Here is the straightforward breakdown of the official log provided by Nintendo Support: Change Details
This is not a two-way transfer. Playing Age of Calamity does not unlock anything new in Breath of the Wild .
The Nintendo Switch would usually prompt for this download automatically, or it could be forced by selecting the game icon, pressing + , and choosing "Software Update."
The VR mode was designed to be easily toggled on and off, allowing players to play normally on their TV or handheld screen, and switch to VR whenever they chose. 2. Improved Performance (Faster Load Times)