Botw Update 160 2021 !new! < 100% EXTENDED >
| Aspect | Verdict | |--------|---------| | | None | | Performance boost | None | | New content | None | | Voice language unlock | Yes (major) | | Subtitle expansion | Yes | | TotK prep | Likely | | Worth updating for | Only if you want JP voices or different subtitles |
In the spring of 2021, Nintendo quietly rolled out for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild . While many fans hoped for performance boosts or new quality-of-life features, this patch had a very specific, targeted purpose.
But dataminers and the community found the real changes.
In the grand timeline of Breath of the Wild updates, 1.6.0 is a footnote. But it represents something important: years after launch. In an era where many developers abandon non-live-service titles, Nintendo ensured BotW remained compatible with modern Switch firmware updates.
For many players, the 1.6.0 environment is the "permanent" version of Hyrule. Because Nintendo opted not to release further gameplay content after 2019, the community took it upon themselves to keep the game alive. In 2021, this manifested in the "Second Wind" modding project and other fan-made expansions that required a stable 1.6.0 base to function. botw update 160 2021
: It addressed minor bugs to improve the overall gameplay experience. 🕶️ The Virtual Reality Experience in Hyrule
This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later.
If you are using an emulator like Cemu, version 1.6.0 is often the baseline required for the latest community graphics packs and mods, though many modders prefer to stay on 1.5.0 for legacy compatibility.
Aside from the VR feature, the 1.6.0 patch subtly improved the underlying code. The update drastically reduced fast-travel and shrine-loading times, making traversal across the vast map up to 37% faster in some instances. The 2021 Resurgence: Why Players Revisited the VR Mode | Aspect | Verdict | |--------|---------| | |
Anyone know what the new BOTW update for? : r/Breath_of_the_Wild
Let me know you want to explore next! Share public link
The reduction in shrine load times and overworld texture pop-in also made playing on original hardware feel much smoother. Even if you chose not to use the VR goggles, updating to 1.6.0 was considered essential purely for the performance quality-of-life upgrades. How to Ensure Your Game is Updated
The primary purpose of Version 1.6.0 was adding full compatibility with the . In the grand timeline of Breath of the Wild updates, 1
: The final version for the Wii U edition is typically listed as 1.5.0 , as the VR and specific Switch-related performance boosts were exclusive to the newer hardware.
The update enabled a firmware feature that temporarily overclocked the Switch’s CPU during loading screens. This resulted in a dramatic performance upgrade across the board. Loading Scenario Before Update 1.6.0 After Update 1.6.0 ~32 seconds ~21 seconds Fast Traveling ~15 seconds ~11 seconds Entering Shrines ~12 seconds ~7 seconds
Because 2021 was long after the game's active development cycle, the community investigated why Nintendo issued this patch. Security analysts and data miners discovered that update 1.6.0 was part of a company-wide initiative to patch a critical system vulnerability. The "ENet" Vulnerability
: Complete all 120 Shrines (plus DLC shrines if applicable).