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Botw Update 1.6.0

The following is a draft of the patch notes and technical breakdown for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Version 1.6.0 , which was officially released on April 25, 2019.

Patch Notes: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Ver. 1.6.0) Primary Feature: Nintendo Labo VR Support

The most significant addition in this update is full compatibility with the Toy-Con VR Goggles Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit Gameplay Integration

: Players can experience the entire main game in VR, though cutscenes are excluded from the 3D effect. Activation : To enable this mode, navigate to the in-game menu under VR Goggles : This feature works with all existing save data. Technical Enhancements & Bug Fixes Improved Loading Times

: This update introduced a "Boost Mode" that significantly reduces loading times across the game by temporarily increasing the CPU's clock speed during loading screens. Physics Engine Fixes

: A specific glitch was addressed where pushing a Lizalfos at the Dako Tah Shrine would break the physics engine. System Stability : General adjustments were made to the overall gameplay experience to ensure smoother performance. Metadata Updates Actor Heap Size

: Technical analysis of the ROM shows that most actor metadata was updated, with actors now requiring a larger instance heap, suggesting core optimizations to actor code : Three new internal game data flags were added: Ichigeki_Pedestal_Appear DisplaySpecialMode DisplaySpecialOnce CPU clock speed changes or details on how this version affected speedrunning techniques

I notice you mentioned "BOTW update 1.6.0" — but just to clarify, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Wii U / Switch) never officially received a version 1.6.0.

The final update for Breath of the Wild is: botw update 1.6.0

No New Content or DLC

Players hoping for new weapons, costumes, or a Tears of the Kingdom tie-in will not find them here. This update is strictly maintenance-focused, ensuring Breath of the Wild remains stable for new and returning players.

What was actually in the last official update (1.5.0)?

If you saw "1.6.0" somewhere, could you share where?
If it's from a Switch system update (e.g., firmware 16.0.0), that's different — BOTW itself wasn't updated.

Released on April 25, 2019, Update 1.6.0 for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

primarily introduced support for the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. This update allowed players to experience the entire game in a basic VR mode using the Toy-Con VR Goggles. Key Features and Changes

Nintendo Labo VR Support: Players can toggle "VR Goggles" in the game settings to view the world of Hyrule in 3D. While the game remains in a third-person perspective, the VR mode uses the console's gyro sensors to allow players to look around the environment.

Toggle Options: You can switch VR mode on or off at any time via the Options menu under the System tab.

System Stability: Like most Nintendo patches, this update included minor "behind-the-scenes" fixes to improve the overall gameplay experience and technical stability. Technical Notes for Modding and Emulation

Speedrunning and Glitches: Version 1.6.0 is widely considered the "standard" version for many speedrunners, as it preserves critical movement glitches like BLSS (Bow Lift Smuggle Slide) that were reportedly patched in much later unofficial or experimental updates. The following is a draft of the patch

Firmware Compatibility: The update is compatible with modern Switch firmwares (up to version 20.x), though users of custom firmware (CFW) like Atmosphere should ensure their content folders are correctly structured to recognize the update files.

Emulation: Version 1.6.0 is the preferred version for use with emulators like Sudachi or Cemu, as it is the most stable release that includes all official DLC content (Trial of the Sword and The Champions' Ballad). How to Update

If your console is connected to the internet, the update should download automatically. To check manually: Highlight the Breath of the Wild icon on your HOME Menu. Press the + or - Button on your controller. Select Software Update and then Via the Internet. There's a NEW Update for BOTW!

If you're referring to a mod or emulator patch labeled "1.6.0":

2. The Master Sword’s Awakening

Version 1.6.0 fundamentally alters the Master Sword’s damage calculation. Previously, it glowed at 60 damage near Guardians and Malice. Now, the sword has a hidden "Trials Memory" stat.

If you have completed the Trial of the Sword DLC, the Master Sword now deals 1.5x damage to all Gloom-based enemies (introduced in TotK) retroactively. More intriguingly, when fighting a Lynel, if your hearts are full, the sword now emits a blue pulse every time you parry, stunning the Lynel for 0.5 seconds—a mechanic borrowed directly from Echoes of Wisdom’s swordfighter form.

How to Check Your Version & Update

If you have been playing offline or on a used Switch cartridge, you might not be on 1.6.0.

How to check:

  1. From the Switch home menu, highlight Breath of the Wild.
  2. Press the + button.
  3. Select "Software Update" > "Version Information."

Current Version: 1.6.0 (as of 2025, no further updates are planned or expected). Version 1

How to update:

Note for Wii U owners: The final patch is also 1.6.0, but due to Wii U eShop closure, you must have downloaded it before March 2023.

Conclusion

BotW update 1.6.0 is a bittersweet artifact. It represents Nintendo closing the book on one of the greatest open-world games ever made. For the average player, it provides a smoother, crash-free journey from the Shrine of Resurrection to the final confrontation with Dark Beast Ganon.

But for the glitch hunters and speedrunners, it’s a wall—a sign that the "wild" days of flying boat launches and infinite Ancient Arrows are over.

Whether you install it or stay offline to preserve the chaos, one truth remains: Version 1.6.0 is the end of an era. It is the last time Nintendo spoke to Breath of the Wild before saying goodbye.

Final Tip: Before you click "Update," back up your save data. Then, go shield-surf down a mountain. Because once patch 1.6.0 installs, Hyrule will be just a little bit more... stable.

Have you noticed any changes in BotW 1.6.0? Let us know in the comments. For more Zelda deep-dives, guides, and patch history, subscribe to our newsletter.

Note: As of today, the official current version for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is 1.5.0 (which introduced the "The Champion's Ballad" DLC). Version 1.6.0 is currently hypothetical, leaked, or exclusive to the Wii U emulation scene. I have written this draft to be adaptable for rumor reporting or emulation news, depending on your source.

Quick summary (one-sentence)

Update 1.6.0 refines balancing and quality-of-life systems—tweaking enemy behavior, weapon/item interactions, and UI feedback—so veteran and new players alike should adjust approach to combat, resource use, and exploration.