A smaller but notable fix in BOTW update 160 addresses a niche physics bug. Since the Trial of the Sword DLC, the Master Cycle Zero could, under specific framerate fluctuations (common on OG Switch hardware in the Hebra region), clip through the world geometry when boosting.
Version 1.6.0 applied a hard boundary-check on the Cycle’s boost collision. Players immediately reported that the Master Cycle now feels slightly "heavier" and less prone to launching into orbit during Blood Moons.
The quest to get these items can be notoriously tricky if you don't know where to look. Here is the step-by-step method to unlock it:
Why you want it: When you upgrade this armor at the Great Fairy Fountains, it provides Bonus Attack Up stats, making it a fantastic late-game set for dealing massive damage!
In the modding community (specifically for Wii U emulation or modded Switch consoles), there are often fan-made patches referred to by various numbers. A "1.6.0" reference might be a specific mod version or a typo for a 60 FPS patch, which is a very popular mod for BotW.
If you are playing on a Switch: Go to the Home Menu > Highlight the game > Press + > Select "Software Update" > "Via the Internet." This will ensure you have the final official version (1.5.0).
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 botw update 160
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.
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 (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 A smaller but notable fix in BOTW update
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? Claim Your Prize: Once you’ve stood on all
If you want to verify your version for modding or troubleshooting:
On Nintendo Switch:
On Wii U:
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.
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:
Nintendo’s Update 1.6.0 for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild isn’t just another patch; it’s a reminder that even masterful games benefit from careful refinement. Here’s a concise, reader-friendly column that captures the update’s highlights and why players should care.
From collision fixes to smoother performance in dense areas, 1.6.0 reads like a maintenance tune-up for a living game. These changes are invisible in screenshots but palpable during play: fewer clipped animations, more reliable item interactions, and steadier frame pacing. The result is immersion that lasts — small fixes that keep the magic intact.
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