2021 | Botw Update 160
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 (released in April 2019), which continues to be the definitive version for players today.
: For Cemu users, ensure your update region (USA, EUR, JPN) matches the region of your base game. Mismatched regions are a primary cause of the "System Update" prompt. Manual Update Installation : In Cemu, go to File > Install game title, update, or DLC .
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 botw update 160 2021
Nintendo achieved this breakthrough by deploying a custom "boost mode" firmware feature. When Link enters a loading screen (such as fast-traveling, entering a shrine, or respawning), the Nintendo Switch system hardware dynamically overclocks its CPU from the standard 1020 MHz up to . Pre-1.6.0 Load Time Post-1.6.0 Load Time Time Saved Fast Travel to Citadel ~31 Seconds ~15 Seconds 51% Faster Entering a Shrine ~14 Seconds ~7 Seconds 50% Faster Game Boot to Menu ~48 Seconds ~32 Seconds 33% Faster
💡 : The last official Nintendo patch for BOTW was in 2019. If you are seeing a version 1.6.0 report from 2021, it likely refers to a Third-Party Mod or a specific Emulator Version (like Cemu 1.25.x which was active in 2021). While there was no major new content expansion
Now, go. Hyrule still needs you—just with slightly better memory management.
(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 Manual Update Installation : In Cemu, go to
Here is a comprehensive breakdown of everything included in the update, its underlying technical shifts, and why it captured massive attention in 2021. 🚀 Performance Boost: The CPU "Boost Mode"
released in 2021 (Version 1.6.0) was a minor patch primarily focused on backend stability and bug fixes