The "Update 1.60 Extra Quality" (officially known as the Zelda: Breath of the Wild Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
) is a definitive technical overhaul for the 2017 masterpiece. It bridges the gap between the original hardware and modern standards like 60fps and 4K resolution.
Below is a draft review evaluating whether this $9.99 upgrade (or free NSO Expansion Pass update) is worth your time and money. Review: Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch 2 Edition)
The Verdict: The "definitive" version we’ve waited nearly a decade for. Technical Mastery ⚡
The most immediate change is the jump to 60fps. While the original fluctuated at 30fps, this version holds a rock-solid frame rate even in heavy areas like Korok Forest. Resolution: 4K docked / 1080p handheld.
Lighting & Shadows: Overhauled shadow maps and lighting effects make Hyrule feel more lived-in.
Loading Times: Fast travel is now nearly instantaneous, taking roughly 3–5 seconds. The "Extra Quality" Content 🎒
While not a full expansion, the "Extra Quality" tag refers to several quality-of-life additions:
Zelda’s Notes: A new in-game guide (linked to the NSO mobile app) that tracks obscure objectives and Korok locations.
Second Save File: Finally allows for a fresh start without deleting your original 100-hour journey.
Voice Memories: Small, additional voiced cutscenes that flesh out the Champions' relationships. The Value Proposition 💰 Price: $9.99 USD as a standalone upgrade pack.
NSO Benefit: Free for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscribers.
Compatibility: Physical and digital copies of the original BOTW are eligible for the upgrade. Final Score: 9.5 / 10
If you have already played Tears of the Kingdom, going back to the "cleaner" world of Breath of the Wild in 4K/60fps feels like playing a brand-new game. It makes the original hardware version feel like a rough draft by comparison. botw update 160 extra quality
Are you planning to start a fresh save, or are you just looking to 100% your old one with the new performance? Find the fastest way to download the update Check if your physical DLC from Switch 1 will carry over
Compare the handheld performance specifically for the Switch 2's LCD screen AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
The 1.6.0 update for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
, released on April 25, 2019, is widely regarded as one of the game's most significant "extra quality" patches due to its introduction of Labo VR support and a major unadvertised technical optimization: significantly faster loading times. 1. The Gateway to Virtual Reality
The primary feature of update 1.6.0 was adding compatibility with the Nintendo Labo VR Kit.
Total Integration: Unlike small VR mini-games in other titles, this update allows players to experience the entire overworld and gameplay of Hyrule in 3D.
Immersive Perspective: It utilizes the Switch's built-in accelerometer to allow players to move the camera by physically moving their head, providing a unique "scenic" way to view landmarks and characters.
Toggle System: Players can easily switch between standard and VR modes via the "VR Goggles" option in the System settings. 2. Under-the-Hood "Boost Mode" Performance
While VR was the headline, the "extra quality" felt by the broader community came from a hidden technical improvement often referred to as "Boost Mode".
CPU Overclocking: The update introduced a system that temporarily increases the Nintendo Switch CPU’s clock speed specifically during loading screens.
Dramatically Shorter Loads: This optimization cut fast-travel and shrine loading times by nearly 40-50% in some instances. For example, exiting a shrine was reduced from approximately 17 seconds down to 12 seconds.
Speedrunning Impact: These changes shifted the competitive landscape, making the Nintendo Switch version competitive with (and in some cases faster than) the previously dominant Wii U version for speedruns. 3. Visual and Stability Revisions
Beyond the major additions, the update included standard "quality of life" fixes aimed at refining the player's experience. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild/Version History The "Update 1
The "extra quality" feature in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
update 1.6.0 typically refers to a hidden or improved graphical preset often discussed in the context of PC emulation (like Cemu or Yuzu) rather than an official menu option on the Nintendo Switch.
Official update 1.6.0 (released April 25, 2019) was primarily designed to add Nintendo Labo VR Kit support and significantly improve loading times. Key Features of Update 1.6.0
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) version 1.6.0, released in April 2019, is a significant milestone that introduced support for Nintendo Labo VR and unexpectedly boosted performance through "boost mode". Core Update Features (v1.6.0) VR Mode Compatibility : Added support for the Toy-Con 04: VR Kit
. Users can enable this in the "Options" menu under "System" to experience Hyrule in 360 degrees. Enhanced Loading Speeds
: This update introduced a "boost mode" that increases the Switch CPU's clock speed during loading screens. Tests show loading times are approximately 26% faster compared to previous versions. System Improvements : Updated actor metadata and UI/message layouts specifically for the VR interface. www.thumbsticks.com Technical "Extra Quality" Enhancements
While version 1.6.0 is the standard for the original Switch, recent developments and community mods have pushed the "extra quality" aspect further: Switch 2 Upgrades : For the next-generation console, BotW is boosted to a dynamic 1440p resolution with dialed-up textures and shadows. 60 FPS Support
: While the original hardware targets 30 FPS, the game runs at a locked 60 FPS on newer hardware or via specialized PC emulation tools. HDR and 4K : Advanced configurations enable 4K resolution and HDR
when docked on compatible systems, significantly improving visual clarity over the original 900p docked resolution. Community and Glitch Impact
While there is no specific "extra quality" setting in the official 1.6.0 update for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
, this version is famous for a "hidden" boost: it drastically cut loading times by up to 50%.
The update introduced the "Boost Mode" feature, which temporarily overclocked the Switch's CPU from 1.0 GHz to 1.75 GHz during loading screens. This turned a once-sluggish experience into something much more fluid. Key Changes in Version 1.6.0
Labo VR Support: The primary addition was compatibility with the Nintendo Labo VR Kit, allowing you to play the entire game in a basic VR mode. The "Trial of the Sword" Save Corruption Glitch:
Performance Improvements: Beyond loading times, users noted slightly more stable frame rates in demanding areas like the Korok Forest, though sometimes at the cost of minor render distance reductions.
Faster Fast Travel: Teleporting between shrines became significantly faster—one test showed a drop from 26 seconds to just 14 seconds.
[BotW] Official Switch 1 & Switch 2 Comparison in 4k : r/zelda
Here are a few options for text regarding the "BOTW Update 1.6.0 Extra Quality" mod, depending on where you intend to use it (e.g., a YouTube video description, a download page, or a forum post).
First, let’s separate fact from fiction. Version 1.6.0 (often written as 1.60) is the final official patch released for Breath of the Wild. Contrary to rumors, Nintendo did not suddenly add ray-tracing or 4K textures in 2023. The 1.60 update was rolled out primarily to address two things:
File Size: Approx. 45MB (Small, because it was strictly a stability patch).
The Reality Check: Nintendo did not increase the resolution or frame rate via this patch. On standard hardware, BOTW still runs at 900p (TV) / 720p (Handheld) on Switch, and 720p on Wii U.
So, where does "Extra Quality" come from?
If you search for "BOTW update 1.60 extra quality," you are likely landing on YouTube videos or emulation forums (Cemu or Yuzu/Ryujinx). Here, "Extra Quality" refers to a graphics pack or mod designed to run alongside Update 1.60.
Because 1.60 is the most stable base version of the game (the final build), modders used it as the foundation for "Extra Quality" presets. This is not an official Nintendo feature. It is a fan-created enhancement suite that does the following:
Nintendo set AF to Low (2x-4x) to save bandwidth. "Extra Quality" forces 16x, meaning the path in front of Link stays sharp all the way to the horizon instead of turning into a muddy smear.
Yes—but only in niche scenarios.
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