Overview
Key theme
Patch highlights (imagined)
Update 1.6.0 for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild , released on April 26, 2019, is one of the game's most significant technical patches. It primarily focused on adding VR support and drastically improving load times across the Nintendo Switch version. Key Features of Update 1.6.0
Nintendo Labo VR Support: Players can experience the entire game (excluding cutscenes) in VR using the Toy-Con VR Goggles from the Nintendo Labo VR Kit.
This feature can be toggled on or off at any time via the Options menu under the System tab in-game.
Significantly Faster Load Times: The update introduced a "boost mode" that increases the Switch's CPU clock speed during loading screens.
Fast Travel: Wait times were reduced by nearly half in some scenarios, such as decreasing from 26 seconds to 14 seconds.
Shrine Entry: Loading a shrine became approximately 21% faster, dropping from roughly 8 seconds to just over 6 seconds.
Stability & Fixes: General adjustments were made to improve the overall gameplay experience. Technical Documentation & Legacy
While Nintendo’s Official Update History lists "Various fixes to improve gameplay," the community has documented specific technical nuances:
Filtering Fixes: Technical papers have identified code modifications in v1.6.0 that addressed shadow map artifacts (black lines) and upgraded terrain texture sampling from bilinear to trilinear.
Speedrunning: This version is highly valued by the speedrunning community as it maintains the Bow Lift Smuggle Slide (BLSS) glitch, which was later patched in newer versions like 1.8.0.
Since "Update 16.0.0" usually refers to the official Nintendo Switch firmware update (which creates a specific emulator compatibility issue) rather than an in-game patch for Breath of the Wild, this review will focus on how the game holds up in the current ecosystem, particularly regarding the stability introduced by recent updates and the recent sequel, Tears of the Kingdom.
Update 16.0 for Zelda BOTW is fascinating not for what it adds, but for what it represents: Nintendo’s commitment to keeping a six-year-old game running perfectly on modern hardware. It is a maintenance patch, a ghost in the machine that most players will never notice—but for the health of the game’s codebase, it is a necessary one.
If you haven't visited Hyrule in a while, downloading 1.6.0 is a perfectly safe, albeit uneventful, experience. Your saves are safe, your DLC works, and the sun will still rise over Dueling Peaks just as beautifully as it did on day one. update 16 0 zelda botw
So go ahead. Update. And maybe, while you’re waiting for the 450MB to download, finally finish that last side quest. Hyrule isn’t going anywhere.
Have you noticed any unusual changes after installing Update 16.0? Share your findings in the comments below or join the r/Breath_of_the_Wild discussion thread.
1.6.0 update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild , released on April 25, 2019
, is one of the game's most unique patches as it introduced virtual reality capabilities exclusively for the Nintendo Switch
. While the official patch notes were brief, the update included significant "under-the-hood" performance enhancements. Major Features and Changes Nintendo Labo VR Support
: Players can now experience the entire world of Hyrule in VR using the Toy-Con VR Goggles
. This mode can be toggled in the in-game options and works with existing save data . Note that cinematic cutscenes are not rendered in VR Improved Loading Times
: A major "stealth" upgrade in this version was the implementation of a "boost mode" that increases the CPU clock speed during loading screens significantly decreased load times for fast traveling and entering shrines Physics Fix
: This update addressed a specific glitch where pushing a Lizalfos into the Dako Tah Shrine would break the game's physics engine General Stability
: As with most Nintendo updates, it included "various fixes" to improve the overall gameplay experience Nintendo Support How to Access VR Mode
To use the VR feature after updating to version 1.6.0, follow these steps: Open the in-game menu. Navigate to Locate the VR Goggles setting and set it to "ON"
Zelda: Breath of the Wild Version 1.6.0: The VR Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild's Update 1.6.0, released on April 25, 2019, is famously known for introducing full virtual reality support to the vast world of Hyrule. While it was the final major feature update for the game, it also delivered significant technical improvements that remain vital for players today. VR Integration via Nintendo Labo
The headline feature of Version 1.6.0 was compatibility with the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit.
Immersive Exploration: Players can experience the entire game in VR, though cutscenes remain in standard 2D.
Ease of Access: The feature can be toggled at any time via the Options menu under the System tab. Update 16
Compatible with Saves: You do not need to start a new game; the VR goggles work with existing save data. Performance Boost: Faster Loading Times
Beyond VR, Update 1.6.0 implemented a "Boost Mode" that significantly reduces loading times.
CPU Overclocking: During loading screens, the Switch’s CPU speed is temporarily boosted to 1.7GHz, up from its standard 1.0GHz.
Speed Gains: Loading times for teleporting or entering shrines were reduced by roughly 20% to 37% compared to the previous version. Patch Notes Summary
The official release notes provided by Nintendo were characteristically brief:
VR Compatibility: Added support for the VR Goggles from the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit.
General Fixes: Addressed "various issues" to improve the overall gameplay experience. Legacy and Later Versions
1.6.0 update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (released in April 2019) is primarily remembered for adding VR support and a surprising, "hidden" performance boost that significantly improved the game's flow. Key Features & Performance Nintendo Labo VR Support
: You can play the entire game in a third-person VR mode using the Toy-Con VR Goggles
. This is enabled via the "VR Goggles" option in the System menu. Drastically Improved Load Times
: Although not officially in the patch notes, this update introduced a "Boost Mode" that overclocks the Switch's CPU during loading screens. Fast Travel : Loading times were cut by nearly , reducing some 30-second waits to around 18 seconds. Shrine Entry : Entering shrines became roughly 20% faster Speedrunning Impact
: The improved loading made the Switch version the fastest platform for most speedrun categories, surpassing the previously preferred Wii U version. User Experience & Community Perspectives
There is no official version 16.0 for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW). The most recent official update released by Nintendo for the game is version 1.6.0, which arrived in April 2019 to add support for the VR Goggles.
The term "16 0" in your request likely refers to the 16:10 aspect ratio fix or 16:9 resolution settings frequently discussed in the BotW emulation community (specifically for Cemu). Below is a "solid report" on the current state of these community-driven technical updates as of April 2026: Emulation & Performance Updates
16:10 Aspect Ratio Fix: Users playing on the Steam Deck or similar 16:10 screens have historically faced a shadow-rendering bug. Recent reports suggest using a custom resolution of 1152x720 (rather than 1280x800) to resolve these glitches without stretching or cropping the image. Key theme
Lossless Scaling & Frame Gen: A popular workaround for reaching high frame rates involves using the Lossless Scaling tool to achieve a solid 90 FPS. To avoid heavy motion artifacts, players recommend locking the base game at 45 FPS and letting the software double the frames.
Cemu Optimization: Modern PC builds (CPU/GPU balanced) are now consistently running the game at 4K/60 FPS or higher, though older hardware still struggles with optimization issues in certain areas. Switch 2 "Upgrade Pack" Rumors
There are community discussions and speculative reports regarding a potential "Switch 2" upgrade pack for BotW. These unconfirmed reports claim improvements such as: 1440p Resolution: A jump from the original 900p (docked).
Solid 60 FPS: Elimination of the frame drops seen in areas like Korok Forest.
Zelda Notes Integration: Better tracking for defeated bosses (Hinox/Talus) and overall map progression. Version 1.6.0 Technical Stability
If you are specifically looking for a report on the official 1.6.0 update:
Stability: It remains the definitive version for the Nintendo Switch.
Common Issues: Some players using custom firmware have reported "The Software Was Closed Because An Error Occurred" when updating from 1.0.0 to 1.6.0, often requiring a full reinstallation of game data or different file formats.
First, it is important to manage expectations. Version 16.0 is not a "next-gen" upgrade (4K/60 FPS) nor does it add new story content or the long-requested "Master Trials" DLC extras. Instead, this patch is primarily a stability and system compatibility update tied directly to the Nintendo Switch firmware (System Software 19.0.0+).
The jump from version 1.6.0 (often misread as 16.0) to 16.0.0 appears to be a renumbering by Nintendo’s internal servers to align with major OS architecture changes.
Since the rollout of 16.0, a small subset of players have reported:
Update 16.0 (Ver. 1.6.0) is not a content update. It does not add new shrines, weapons, or story elements. Instead, it is a system-level compatibility patch released simultaneously with the Nintendo Switch firmware update (OS 16.0.0).
In simpler terms: Nintendo updated the Switch’s operating system, which required them to re-encrypt and re-certify many of their first-party titles. Breath of the Wild received this version bump to ensure it runs correctly on the new firmware, particularly concerning sleep mode, data saving, and digital license verification.
There are two likely reasons:
In a move that surprised the gaming community, Nintendo quietly rolled out Update Version 16.0 for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW). While the version number suggests a major overhaul, players digging through the patch notes have found a mix of mundane backend fixes and one very specific quality-of-life change.
Here is everything you need to know about the 16.0 update for Breath of the Wild.