Botw Update 160 | 2021
Title: Unpacking Breath of the Wild’s Version 1.6.0 Update (2021)
In the spring of 2021, Nintendo quietly rolled out Update Version 1.6.0 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.
Key Content of the 1.6.0 Update:
- The "Save Data Exclusive" Bonuses: The primary function of the 1.6.0 update was to add compatibility with the Breath of the Wild Save Data Exclusive bonuses. This allowed players to link their save file with The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD (released in July 2021).
- The "Ancient Outfit" for Epona: By having a Breath of the Wild save file on their Nintendo Switch, players starting Skyward Sword HD could unlock the Ancient Outfit for Link’s horse, Epona, in that game. Conversely, the update prepared BotW to recognize that data exchange.
- Stability Fixes: As with most minor version bumps, 1.6.0 also included general stability fixes to improve the gameplay experience, though no major glitch exploits (like the famous "Menu Overload" or "Trial of the Sword Skips") were explicitly removed at this stage.
What 1.6.0 Did NOT Do:
- It did not add any new shrines, quests, or weapons to Breath of the Wild.
- It did not change the frame rate or resolution on either Wii U or Switch.
- It was not the long-rumored "Switch Pro" patch.
How to Update: If your Nintendo Switch is connected to the internet, the 1.6.0 update downloads automatically. You can verify your version by selecting the Breath of the Wild icon on the Home Menu, pressing the + button, and checking the "Software Version" on the top left.
Legacy: For most players, the 1.6.0 update was invisible. It remains a testament to how Nintendo used Breath of the Wild as a cross-game promotional tool for Skyward Sword HD. If you are playing a physical cartridge from 2021 or later, or have auto-updates enabled, you are almost certainly running version 1.6.0.
Note for Emulation/Modding: 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. botw update 160 2021
The story of Version 1.6.0 for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
is one of unexpected transformations. While the update itself actually launched on April 25, 2019, it remained a hot topic throughout 2021 as a definitive, "final" major era for the game before its sequel's hype took over.
Here is the breakdown of what made this specific update a legend in the community: 🥽 The "VR" Revolution
The headline feature of 1.6.0 was support for the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit.
Immersive Hyrule: Players could experience the entire game (except cutscenes) through VR Goggles. Title: Unpacking Breath of the Wild ’s Version 1
New Perspectives: You could toggle the VR mode at any time via the "Options" menu under the "System" tab.
Experimental Feel: It was a unique, low-tech way to "stand" in Hyrule, though many players found the 720p resolution of the Switch screen challenging for long sessions. ⚡ The Secret Speed Boost
The most "impactful" part of 1.6.0 for daily players wasn't the VR—it was a hidden performance boost.
Drastic Loading Times: This update significantly optimized the game's data loading.
Half the Wait: Fast-traveling to certain areas (like the Temple of Time) saw load times drop from 26 seconds down to just 14 seconds. The "Save Data Exclusive" Bonuses: The primary function
The "Boost Mode": It was discovered that this update utilized the Switch's "boost mode" clock speed during loading screens, a technique first seen in Super Mario Odyssey. 🛠️ Patch Highlights
While it didn't add new quests or items, 1.6.0 was about refining the experience: How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Here’s a solid, search-engine-friendly post analyzing the “BOTW update 160 2021” — clarifying what it was, what it actually did, and why it still matters.
3. Hidden "Sequel Hooks"
The most controversial find: unused voice lines in the game’s files referring to a "floating castle" and "malice tendrils from the sky." These were later confirmed to be early versions of cutscenes from Tears of the Kingdom. Update 1.6.0 overwrote some legacy audio files with compressed, lower-quality versions to free up space for these data mines.
3. How Update 1.6.0 Affected Players
For the average player, the update was invisible. Your save file remained compatible. Your DLC progress remained unchanged. You did not suddenly gain new items, and the frame rate in Korok Forest stayed roughly the same (still choppy on original Switch hardware).
However, three groups felt the impact:
4. How to Verify This Update (For Your Paper)
- Nintendo official patch notes: Very vague (“Adjustments made for a more pleasant gaming experience”)
- Datamining results from 2021 (see: Switchbrew.org, GBAtemp) confirm only cloud save & system title changes
2. The Blood Moon Crash Fix
If you ever saw a panic Blood Moon (three in one night cycle) near Hyrule Castle’s library, your game would hard crash. This was caused by an integer overflow in the enemy respawn buffer. Update 1.6.0 patched the memory allocation error, making the Master Mode Trial of the Sword suddenly survivable.