It is crucial to manage expectations. This patch is a performance patch for Korok Forest. The notorious framerate drops in the Lost Woods remain unchanged on Switch hardware.
Data miners found unused frame rate variables in the code, but they were never activated. The game remains locked to 30 FPS on Switch hardware.
Nintendo is famously tight-lipped when it comes to patch notes for legacy titles. When update 1.6.0 went live, the official documentation read much like previous updates: botw update 160
The numbering can be misleading. BotW’s last major functional update was (released alongside The Champions’ Ballad DLC in late 2017). Update 1.6.0 is essentially a compatibility patch —more of a 1.5.1 in practical terms, but bumped to 1.6.0 for marketing or internal versioning reasons.
The biggest fear with update 1.6.0 was the potential patch of game-breaking but beloved glitches like , Whistle Running , or Menu Overloading (used for durability transfers and weapon duplication). It is crucial to manage expectations
According to Nintendo's official release notes, the primary purpose of version 1.6.0 was to support the . This feature turned the game into an immersive VR experience, allowing players to see the world of Hyrule through Link's eyes. The patch notes explicitly stated:
: The game uses the Switch console's internal gyroscopes to let you look around the beautiful landscapes of Hyrule just by moving your head. ⏱️ 2. The Hidden Gem: Drastic Loading Time Reductions Data miners found unused frame rate variables in
The standout feature of this update is the return of a beloved crossover. Nintendo has brought back the Xenoblade Chronicles 2 collaboration items!
: Three operational markers were introduced to manage user interface layouts during unique scenarios: Ichigeki_Pedestal_Appear , DisplaySpecialMode , and DisplaySpecialOnce . The Legacy of 1.6.0: Glitches and Speedrunning
Breath of the Wild Update 1.6.0: VR and the Ultimate Hyrule Experience Believe it or not, years after its initial release, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild