If you are trying to update your game to the latest version, Version 1.5.0 is the final official patch released by Nintendo. It included:
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Six years after its release, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild remains a masterpiece. But in the world of speedruns, modding, and game preservation, a single version number still sparks debate: Version 1.6.0.
If you boot up your Switch or Wii U today, you are almost certainly playing on Ver. 1.6.0. But what changed? Did Nintendo add new features? Fix long-standing glitches? Or simply prepare for the Tears of the Kingdom era?
Let’s break down everything inside the BotW 1.6.0 update.
First, let’s manage expectations. Version 1.6.0 is not the “Hero’s Path 2.0” or a secret DLC 3. It contains zero new shrines, zero new armor pieces, and zero new story content.
Instead, 1.6.0 is a stability and compatibility patch—the final polish on a game that had already stopped receiving major DLC in late 2017.
Unlike earlier updates that added the Master Mode, Trial of the Sword, or the Hero’s Path feature (all part of the Master Trials DLC), Version 1.6.0 contains no new playable content, bug fixes, or performance adjustments for Breath of the Wild itself.
Instead, it serves a single, focused function: Adds support for additional languages and, more importantly, enables data interoperability with Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity.
The numbering can be misleading. BotW’s last major functional update was 1.5.0 (released alongside The Champions’ Ballad DLC in late 2017). Update 1.6.0 is essentially a compatibility patch—more of a 1.5.1 in practical terms, but bumped to 1.6.0 for marketing or internal versioning reasons.
In summary: "BotW Update 160" (1.6.0) is a minor, late-life patch that bridges Breath of the Wild and Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. It offers no new content for BotW players but provides small rewards for those jumping into the Warriors spin-off. If you see it downloading, let it install—it won’t change your Hyrule adventure one way or the other.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) received a surprise Update 1.9.0 on February 18, 2026, delivering performance enhancements for both the original and Nintendo Switch 2, despite previous versions being considered final. The patch focuses on system stability and maintains compatibility with previous updates, including the VR support introduced in version 1.6.0. For instructions on updating, visit Nintendo Support.
How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Nintendo Support
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) received its Version 1.6.0 update on April 25, 2019, primarily to introduce technical support for the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. While it wasn't a content-heavy expansion like the DLC packs, this update was a milestone in Nintendo's experimentation with virtual reality on the Switch hardware. The VR Integration
The standout feature of update 1.6.0 was the "VR Goggles" mode.
Perspective: This mode allowed players to experience the entirety of Hyrule in a quasi-VR setting using the Labo VR Goggles.
Implementation: Unlike traditional VR that uses first-person motion tracking, BotW's VR mode remained in third-person. The camera followed Link as usual, but the player could look around the environment by moving their head.
Accessibility: The feature could be toggled on or off at any time via the game's options menu. Technical Adjustments
Beyond the VR support, update 1.6.0 included several "under-the-hood" changes:
Performance Improvements: Minor tweaks were made to system stability to ensure the game ran smoothly while the VR mode was active.
Bug Fixes: As with most Nintendo patches, it addressed several minor gameplay issues to enhance the overall user experience. Context in the Game's Lifecycle
By 2019, Breath of the Wild had already completed its major content cycle following the release of The Champions' Ballad (DLC Pack 2). Update 1.6.0 served as a late-lifecycle "quality of life" and experimental patch. It demonstrated Nintendo's willingness to retrofit their existing masterpieces with new hardware features, even years after the initial launch. botw update 160
For players today, checking your software version is simple: press the + Button on the game icon from the Home Menu and select Software Update.
How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild | Nintendo Support
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 's Update 1.6.0, released alongside the VR goggles support, is celebrated in the gaming community as the "End of an Era" patch. This update represents the final narrative and technical bookend for the game before Nintendo shifted its full focus to its successor, Tears of the Kingdom. The "Legend" of the Last Patch
For many players, the story of Update 1.6.0 is one of bittersweet closure. While it didn't add new story quests like the Champions' Ballad DLC, it finalized the world of Hyrule that millions of players had inhabited for years.
VR Support and Immersion: The headline feature was the integration of Nintendo Labo VR support. This allowed players to view the familiar landscapes of Hyrule through a headset, creating a "new story" for veterans who could now stand on the Peak of Awakening or look up at the Dueling Peaks in a pseudo-3D space.
The Technical Polish: It served as the final stability layer for the game's massive engine. According to reports, this version refined performance in historically laggy areas like the Great Hyrule Forest (Korok Forest), ensuring that Link’s journey felt smoother for future generations of players.
The Legacy of Version 1.6.0: In the speedrunning community, version 1.6.0 is often cited as a critical milestone. While later minor adjustments or regional dubs (like the Portuguese addition in version 1.8.0) changed some technical aspects, 1.6.0 remains a foundational version for many who spent hundreds of hours aiming for 100% completion. Historical Context: The Great Calamity
While the update provided technical closure, the game's actual story concludes with the resolution of the Great Calamity. This event, which took place 100 years prior to the game's start on Princess Zelda's 17th birthday, is what players spent years exploring. The 1.6.0 update ensured that this narrative world—from the silent ruins of the Temple of Time to the heights of Hyrule Castle—would remain a "flawless masterpiece" for years to come. There's a NEW Update for BOTW!
There is no official "Update 160" for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. The final major version released by Nintendo was Version 1.6.0, which arrived on April 25, 2019. Key Update Features: Version 1.6.0
The primary "piece" of this update was the introduction of VR support for the Nintendo Labo VR Kit.
VR Goggles Support: Added a "VR Goggles" option to the Settings menu. This allows you to play the entire game in a basic VR mode using the Nintendo Labo: VR Kit.
Third-Person VR: Unlike typical first-person VR, this mode maintains the game’s standard third-person camera but allows you to look around the world by moving your head.
Toggle-able: You can switch this mode on or off at any time from the in-game options. Other Version 1.6.0 Changes Outside of the VR functionality, the update was minor:
Bug Fixes: Addressed several unnamed "issues" to improve the overall gameplay experience.
Stability: General performance improvements for the Nintendo Switch and Wii U versions.
The "1.6.0" update for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is a major release specifically designed for the Nintendo Switch 2
. This update (or standalone "Switch 2 Edition") significantly enhances the game's visuals and performance compared to the original 2017 release. Key Features of Update 1.6.0 Resolution Boost : The game now runs at when docked and in handheld mode. Performance : It targets a consistent 60 frames per second (fps) , providing much smoother motion than the original. HDR Support
: High Dynamic Range (HDR) is now supported, making the colors of Hyrule "pop," especially during Blood Moons and near shrines. Improved Clarity
: Character models look significantly sharper, though the higher resolution can make some original textures (like rocks and logs) look basic by comparison. How to Update If you are playing on a Nintendo Switch 2
or original console connected to the internet, you can update your software through the following steps: Nintendo Support and highlight the Breath of the Wild + or - Button on your controller. Software Update Via the Internet Post-Game Content
The update maintains the classic post-game structure. Once you defeat Ganon, your save file will be marked with a Support for DLC Pack 2: The Champions' Ballad
, and a completion percentage counter will appear on the Sheikah Slate's map. You can continue exploring to reach 100% completion, which includes finding all Korok seeds, completing all shrines, and finishing all side quests. price difference between the upgrade and the standalone Switch 2 Edition?
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) Update 1.6.0, released on April 25, 2019, is widely considered one of the most impactful "technical" updates in the game's history. While the headline feature was Nintendo Labo VR support, the update's true legacy lies in its drastic performance improvements. 🥽 Nintendo Labo VR Integration
The primary addition of version 1.6.0 was compatibility with the Toy-Con VR Goggles from the Nintendo Labo VR Kit.
Immersive Hyrule: Players can experience the entire overworld in a 3D VR perspective.
Toggleable Settings: The feature can be switched on or off via the System > Options menu at any time.
Gameplay Limitations: Pre-rendered cutscenes remain in standard 2D, and the game does not support motion-based VR interaction beyond head-tracking for camera movement. ⚡ Drastic Load Time Improvements
Though not highlighted in the official patch notes, the 1.6.0 update utilized "boost mode" (overclocking the CPU during loading) to significantly reduce wait times.
Fast Travel Speed: Loading screens when teleporting were reduced by roughly 30-50%.
Shrine Entry/Exit: Wait times for entering or exiting shrines were reduced by approximately 2 seconds per instance.
Technical Implementation: The update allows the Switch CPU to jump from its standard 1020MHz to 1785MHz specifically while loading data. 🔧 Maintenance and Quality of Life
Technical Stability: "Several other issues" were addressed to improve the overall gameplay experience, though Nintendo remained vague on specific bug fixes.
Glitches: Most major community-discovered glitches, such as Bow Spinning and Windbombing (BLSS), remained functional in 1.6.0, making it a stable version for speedrunners.
Platform Exclusive: 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
⚠️ Note: As of February 2026, Nintendo Support has released newer updates (up to v1.8.0) that include Portuguese (Brazil) language support and specific compatibility for the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. If you are looking for more specific details,
Which speedrunning glitches were affected (or spared) by this patch? How to manually update your game to the latest version?
This update primarily prepared the game for the first DLC pack, The Master Trials. Key additions included:
The Master Trials (DLC 1) Support: Enabled access to the Trial of the Sword, Master Mode, Hero's Path Mode, the Travel Medallion, and new armor pieces for those who purchased the Expansion Pass.
Expansion Pass Menu: A dedicated menu was added to the title screen to manage and view DLC content.
General Fixes: Various minor gameplay adjustments and bug fixes were implemented to improve the overall experience. How to Install Updates
Nintendo Switch: Select the game icon on the HOME Menu and press the + or - button, then choose Software Update.
Wii U: Connect to the internet and launch the game from the Wii U Menu; the update will download and install automatically. Title: BotW Update 1
Cemu (Emulator): You can install update files manually by going to File > Install Game DLC or Update and selecting the folder containing the v160 update data.
If you are interested in modifying game text or exploring more advanced updates like the BOTW Randomizer, these tutorials provide a direct demonstration:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild remains a masterpiece years after its release, but players still keep a close eye on the software versioning for any hidden changes. If you are looking for information on BOTW update 1.6.0, here is everything you need to know about what this specific patch brought to Hyrule.
Released primarily to coincide with the launch of Nintendo Labo VR, version 1.6.0 introduced a unique way to experience the vast landscapes of Hyrule. While many fans hoped for new quests or items, this update was strictly focused on technical integration and minor performance stability.
The headline feature of the 1.6.0 update was the VR Goggles support. Players could enter the game settings and toggle on the VR mode, which allowed the entire game to be played using the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. Unlike some other VR experiences that offer a first-person perspective, BOTW’s VR mode maintained the third-person camera but allowed players to look around the environment by moving their heads. This provided a deeper sense of scale for the massive Divine Beasts and the towering peaks of Hebra.
Beyond the VR integration, version 1.6.0 included what Nintendo officially described as "several issues fixed to improve the gameplay experience." In the world of game development, this is often shorthand for minor bug fixes that prevent crashing or resolve small graphical glitches. For the average player, these changes were invisible, but they contributed to the overall legendary polish the game is known for.
It is also worth noting that update 1.6.0 addressed some of the technical overhead required to keep the game running smoothly while rendering for VR. Maintaining a stable frame rate is critical for a comfortable VR experience, and this patch ensured that the transition between standard play and VR was as seamless as possible.
Since the release of 1.6.0, the game has reached its final state as Nintendo shifted focus to the sequel, Tears of the Kingdom. This makes version 1.6.0 one of the final definitive versions of the game. For purists and speedrunners, these version numbers are vital for tracking which glitches remain accessible and which have been patched out by Nintendo’s engineers.
Whether you are dusting off your Switch for a fresh playthrough or trying out the VR mode for the first time, update 1.6.0 represents the final touch of support for one of the greatest adventures in gaming history. It ensures that your journey through Hyrule is stable, immersive, and ready for whatever way you choose to play.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Update 1.6.0: VR Support and Performance Boosts Released on April 25, 2019 Version 1.6.0 update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
marked a significant milestone for the title, introducing immersive new ways to play and technical refinements that improved the overall experience. While later updates like Version 1.9.0
(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
. This allowed players to experience the entirety of Hyrule in virtual reality (excluding pre-rendered cutscenes) by toggling the "VR Goggles" option in the in-game system settings. Improved Loading Times
: One of the most celebrated "hidden" features of this update was a drastic reduction in loading times . Technical analysis showed that the game could load up to 10 seconds faster
when fast-traveling or entering shrines compared to previous versions. Performance Stability : The patch included various fixes to improve the gameplay experience
, focusing on frame rate stability in demanding areas of the map. Physics Fixes : It specifically addressed a Nintendo Switch-exclusive glitch where certain interactions at the Dako Tah Shrine could cause the physics engine to break. How to Check Your Version To ensure you are running the latest version:
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) recently received Update 1.6.0 (alongside later patches like 1.7.0 and 1.9.0), focusing primarily on technical stability, cross-platform compatibility, and localized language support for the latest hardware. Key Updates & Patch Highlights
Nintendo Switch 2 Compatibility: The update was specifically designed to optimize performance on the Nintendo Switch 2. This includes smoother frame rates and improved system stability to ensure the 2017 classic runs seamlessly on next-generation hardware.
Thai Language Support: As of Version 1.9.0 (February 2026), Nintendo officially added Thai as a supported language. Players can enable this by setting their system language to "Thai/English" in the Switch settings.
Zelda Notes Integration: The patch introduced compatibility with Zelda Notes, a feature that allows players to better track their journey and discoveries across Hyrule.
Glitch Fixes: While performance was the main goal, Nintendo also addressed several long-standing gameplay glitches and bugs to provide a more polished experience. How to Install the Update
If your system is connected to the internet and Software Auto-Updates are enabled, the patch will download automatically. You can manually check for the update by highlighting the game icon on your home screen, pressing the (+) Button, and selecting Software Update > Via the Internet.
For older hardware, Nintendo Support notes that the Wii U version will also trigger an automatic download upon launching the game from the main menu.
