160 2021 | Botw Update

Published: May 2021
Patch Version: 1.6.0 / Ver. 1.6.0
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite (also affects Cemu emulation scene)

In the spring of 2021, nearly four years after the original launch of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nintendo surprised the community by rolling out Update Ver. 1.6.0. For most players, this patch arrived silently, tucked behind a smaller system update for the Switch console itself. But for those hunting for specific patch notes—or trying to understand why their game version jumped from 1.5.0 to 1.6.0—this update became a minor legend.

Below, we break down everything you need to know about BOTW Update 1.6.0 (2021), from its cryptic release notes to its actual impact on gameplay, modding, and emulation.

While the notes mentioned “adjusted VR camera behavior,” the reality was a complete rewrite of the stereoscopic rendering pipeline. Previously, VR mode capped the game at 30 FPS with heavy reprojection. Update 1.6.0 introduced:

While there was no major new content expansion for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) released specifically in 2021, the game remains on Version 1.6.0 (released in April 2019), which continues to be the definitive version for players today.

If you saw an update notification in 2021 or later, it was likely a Nintendo Switch system stability update or your console finally catching up on the landmark 1.6.0 patch. The Legacy of BotW Update 1.6.0

Version 1.6.0 is widely considered one of the most important technical patches in the game's history because it introduced "Boost Mode." This feature allows the Switch's CPU to overclock during loading screens, resulting in significantly faster travel.

Drastic Load Time Reductions: Fast traveling or entering shrines became up to 30-40% faster. For example, a loading screen that previously took 26 seconds was cut down to approximately 14 seconds.

VR Support: This update added compatibility with the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit, allowing players to experience the entire world of Hyrule in virtual reality. botw update 160 2021

Bug & Physics Fixes: It addressed several Switch-exclusive glitches, such as a physics-breaking issue in the Dako Tah Shrine involving Lizalfos. Why You Might See "Updates" in 2021

Many players reported "new" updates in late 2021 and early 2022. According to community discussions on Reddit, these were typically Switch System Updates (like Ver. 13.2.1) that prompted a restart while the game was open, leading players to believe the game itself had updated. Current Version Status

As of today, the current version for the standard Nintendo Switch remains 1.6.0.

Wii U Players: The final version for the Wii U edition is typically listed as 1.5.0, as the VR and specific Switch-related performance boosts were exclusive to the newer hardware.

Looking Ahead: Official support has since shifted toward the sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. 6.0, or are you trying to verify your current game version?

While there was no official game content update labeled "1.6.0" released specifically in , the history of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

updates is often a point of confusion for players. Most "updates" players noticed in 2021 were actually Nintendo Switch system stability updates rather than changes to the game itself.

Below is an article clarifying the update history and what players were actually seeing during that period. The Truth Behind the 2021 "BotW Update" Four years after its release, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Published: May 2021 Patch Version: 1

remains a cornerstone of the Nintendo Switch library. In late 2021, many players were surprised to see "Update" notifications when launching the game, sparking rumors of secret content or hidden patches. Here is the breakdown of what really happened. 1. The "Ghost" Update of 2021

In 2021, many players reported seeing an update bar when opening Breath of the Wild . However, official records from and community databases like Zelda Wiki

confirm that no new game software versions were released that year. The confusion typically stemmed from Nintendo Switch System Update 13.2.1

(and similar stability patches). Because the Switch often prompts for system updates right as you launch a game, it can appear as though the game itself is being patched. 2. Actual Milestone: Version 1.6.0 Version 1.6.0 was actually released on April 26, 2019 . It was a significant milestone that introduced: VR Support: Compatibility with the Nintendo Labo VR Kit

, allowing players to experience Hyrule in a specialized "VR Goggles" mode. Performance Boost:

This patch notably improved load times across the board by optimizing CPU clock speeds during loading screens. 3. The 2021 Discovery Era While there were no code updates in 2021, the speedrunning and glitch-hunting community

had a massive year. In 2021, players discovered "Pickup Smuggling" and "Golden Gauntlets" glitches, which allowed for incredible physics-defying feats. For many fans, these community discoveries felt like "new content," even though the game's code remained unchanged from the official end of development in 2017. 4. Looking Ahead: Future Updates

While the game sat largely idle for years, Nintendo eventually released Version 1.9.0 in early 2026. This surprise update was designed to: Prepare the game for Nintendo Switch 2 language support. Fix long-standing glitches like the Bow Lock Super Slide (BLSS) Gaming Reinvented Summary of Major Patch Milestones Release Date Key Feature March 2017 Framerate improvements (The "Great Plateau" fix) Xenoblade Chronicles 2 crossover gear While the notes mentioned “adjusted VR camera behavior,”

Chinese (Simplified/Traditional) and Korean language support April 2019 VR Goggles Support and faster loading Switch 2 optimization and performance polish

If you're interested in diving back into Hyrule, I can help you with: A guide to the best glitches still working in the latest version fastest way to find all 900 Korok Seeds How to prepare your save file for the Switch 2 update Let me know which area of Hyrule you'd like to explore next! What Changed in Today's BotW Update? - Gaming Reinvented

Version 1.6.0 for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BotW) was a pivotal update released on April 25, 2019

, primarily for the Nintendo Switch. While the game saw renewed attention in 2021 due to the hype surrounding its sequel, this specific update remained the definitive "final" standard version for years, effectively freezing the game’s codebase until much later hardware revisions. Core Features of Update 1.6.0 The update is most famous for two major technical changes: Nintendo Labo VR Support: It introduced compatibility with the Toy-Con VR Goggles

from the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. This allowed players to experience the entire game in a basic VR mode, toggled via the in-game options menu. Drastic Loading Time Reductions:

Version 1.6.0 implemented a "boost mode" that increased the Switch's CPU clock speed during loading screens. This improved loading speeds by roughly

, making fast travel and entering shrines significantly smoother. The 2021 Context

In 2021, though no new content patches were released, version 1.6.0 became the "Gold Standard" for the community:

It sounds like you’re referencing a Breath of the Wild (BotW) update from 2021 with a number 160 — likely the version number 1.6.0 (often written as v1.6.0 or just “160” in shorthand).

If you need to prepare a paper (a written report, summary, or guide) about that specific update, here’s a structured outline you can use: