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
The primary driver behind was the launch of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack’s Nintendo 64 and Sega Genesis libraries. But how does that relate to Breath of the Wild ?
Link hesitated. He had fought Ganon. He had tamed the Divine Beasts. But this—this wasn't a battle. This was a confession.
Whether you are a casual explorer revisiting the Great Plateau, a speedrunner optimizing your route, or an emulation enthusiast using platforms like Cemu, understanding what the did under the hood is vital. The Official Patch Notes botw update 160
For the modding, data-mining, and speedrunning communities, Update 1.6.0 brought several technical adjustments to the game's internal files: [System/Version.txt] Changed to: "1.6.0"
: 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.
If you are playing Breath of the Wild on a modern Nintendo Switch console as of 2026, the game should automatically update to the latest version, which incorporates all 1.6.0 features. To check, hover over the game on your home screen, press the , and select Software Update > Via the Internet . Conclusion Released in April 2019, the 1
Yes, but only partially. The Wii U version of Breath of the Wild received a corresponding patch, but it was labeled differently in the system menu. Because the Wii U’s online infrastructure is deprecated, the Wii U’s "160" update only included the Master Cycle Zero fix and the save-data cleanup.
BOTW Update 1.6.0: Everything You Need to Know About the Nintendo Labo VR Support
: Select the game icon on the HOME Menu and press the + or - button, then choose Software Update . But how does that relate to Breath of the Wild
To use 1.6.0 properly, you must install the update and the 1.6.0-specific keys/prod.keys. Using an incompatible mod (like "Second Wind" or "Relics of the Past") with 1.6.0 will often break the game, as many mods were coded for 1.5.0.
For veterans who’ve mapped every shrine and mastered the paraglider, a stability patch can feel anticlimactic compared to new quests or DLC. Yet updates like 1.6.0 are a quiet promise: Nintendo still cares about the experience you’ve invested in. It’s less fanfare, more caretaking — the sort of attention that preserves a classic for years to come.
: The feature can be switched on or off via the System > Options menu at any time.
If you see a Breath of the Wild any% speedrun with a time under 24 minutes, it was likely performed on or earlier. 1.6.0 killed the most powerful glitches.
If you run into this, do not delete the software. Simply go to System Settings > Data Management > Software > BotW > "Check for Corrupt Data." The Switch will re-verify the DLC tickets and fix the handshake with 1.6.0.