For a deep dive into the technical specifics of how the 1.6.0 update changed the game's performance, the Reddit speedrunning community's breakdown provides detailed comparisons of the loading speed increases. 6.0 performance and the newer Switch 2 enhancements?
So, what can players expect from this update? Here are some of the key changes and additions:
In the sprawling history of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild , few updates have generated as much quiet excitement as Version 1.6.0. Released on April 26, 2019, this patch was more than just a collection of bug fixes. It served as a bridge between the existing world of Hyrule and Nintendo’s innovative, cardboard-crafted future: the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. botw update 160 exclusive
It all started with the release of Nintendo Switch system firmware 8.0.0, which added a hidden "Boost Mode" that allowed the console’s CPU to run at 1.7GHz. Immediately following this, players noticed that Breath of the Wild Version 1.6.0 was leveraging this new mode in a very specific way.
While 1.6.0 was the last "content" update for years, the game has recently seen a resurgence in activity. In February 2026, Nintendo released Version 1.9.0 to celebrate the series' 40th anniversary, adding support for the Thai language and further stability for "Switch 2" players. However, for many purists, the remains the most "exclusive" turning point in the game's lifecycle, representing the peak of the original Switch's optimization efforts. For a deep dive into the technical specifics of how the 1
The "botw update 160 exclusive" refers to a specific moment in the game's lifecycle that added an unconventional, unique way to play. Its main "exclusive" feature was the immersive, slightly odd, and entirely free addition of the Nintendo Labo VR mode—a novelty that has yet to be replicated in a mainline Zelda title.
At the heart of it, Update 160 Exclusive had been a mirror and a lens both. It reflected Hyrule’s imperfections back at its people and magnified the small acts that made living together possible. It was exclusive because it required the world to be made better in order to be opened; it was generous because in doing so, it made the world more generous, too. Here are some of the key changes and
The primary marketing focus of Version 1.6.0 was the introduction of full compatibility with the from the Nintendo Labo VR Kit .
It is a (not from Nintendo) that adds features originally cut from the game or locked behind Amiibo/event distributions. It is most famous for enabling:
Fans have begged for a minimal HUD. 1.6.0 adds .