Nintendo’s official patch notes for Update 1.6.0 were brief, following their traditional format for legacy game maintenance. The update focused primarily on two elements:
: A foundational exploit allowing Link to continuously run at maximum sprinting speeds without consuming any stamina, simply by rapidly tapping the whistle button while mashing the run input.
Crucially for the community, popular environmental navigation exploits—such as and the Bow Lift Smuggle Slide (BLSS) —were left untouched by Nintendo in version 1.6.0. Because the code adjustments focused heavily on hardware loading sequences rather than patch-fixing emergent engine physics, the game remained a playground for the speedrunning community.
Crucially, Nintendo did not patch out major environmental physics glitches—such as "Bomb Impact Launches" (Windbombs) or menu-overloading item duplication—in this final patch. botw update 1.6.0
When news of update 1.6.0 broke, the Zelda subreddit, Twitter, and Zelda fan forums buzzed with mixed reactions:
The 1.6.0 update for Breath of the Wild is a relatively small patch, but it's essential for players who want to ensure a smooth gaming experience. If you're a new player or have been experiencing issues with the game, this update is recommended.
| Action | Ver. 1.5.0 | Ver. 1.6.0 | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Loading a Save File | ~31 seconds | ~21 seconds | | Fast Travel | ~19 seconds | ~11 seconds | | Entering a Shrine | ~10 seconds | ~7 seconds | Nintendo’s official patch notes for Update 1
: The game does not transition to a true first-person viewpoint. Instead, it offers a third-person stereoscopic view, making it feel as though you are a disembodied camera floating behind Link.
The game retains its original third-person perspective rather than shifting to first-person. The camera simply mimics the user's head movements.
: Three core data tracking flags were patched into the code layout ( Ichigeki_Pedestal_Appear , DisplaySpecialMode , and DisplaySpecialOnce ). These streamline event checks related to specialized trial criteria. Because the code adjustments focused heavily on hardware
Players could toggle a "VR Goggles" option directly from the in-game settings menu.
This feature is available to all Switch owners who have updated their game, regardless of whether they own the Expansion Pass. Drastic Loading Time Improvements
Areas prone to heavy slowdown—such as the Korok Forest—received minor optimizations to handle the hardware strain better, especially when the system shifts processing power to render the dual-image layout required for VR. How to Download Update 1.6.0