Update 1.6.0 added the ability to play the entire game in virtual reality using the .
Nintendo utilized a temporary CPU overclocking method during loading screens, allowing the Switch to read data faster.
One of the most praised "undocumented" features of this update was a dramatic improvement in load times CPU Overclocking
However, as the community began tearing into the patch data, they discovered that Update 1.6.0 was far more than a simple VR gimmick. It fundamentally altered the game's engine performance, drastically shaved down loading times through a hidden system "overclock," and inadvertently solidified itself as the definitive sandbox version for glitch-hunters and speedrunners alike. 1. The Official Patch Notes: Entering the VR Sandbox botw update 1.6.0
The updates and fixes introduced in 1.6.0 aim to provide a smoother gaming experience for players. With the reduction in crashes and freezes, players can now explore the vast open world of Hyrule without interruptions. The fixes for textures and graphics ensure that the game's stunning visuals are displayed as intended.
While no official performance gains were announced, multiple players on Reddit and gaming forums reported slightly more stable frame rates in notoriously demanding areas like Korok Forest and the Lost Woods. The improvements were subtle—perhaps a reduction from occasional dips to 20-25 fps up to a steadier 25-30 fps—but noticeable to veteran players. The Wii U version, however, saw no measurable performance changes.
Before you click "Update," back up your save data. Then, go shield-surf down a mountain. Because once patch 1.6.0 installs, Hyrule will be just a little bit more... stable. Update 1
You can turn the feature on or off at any point during your playthrough via the Options menu, meaning you do not need to start a new save file.
Unlike standalone VR games built from the ground up, update 1.6.0 adapts the entirety of Breath of the Wild into a stereoscopic 3D presentation.
In the Rito Village, rafters creaked with extra weight. A flock of new winged beasts had taken to the canyons: bright-feathered, curious, and oddly clever. The Rito elders believed them to be messengers from a future yet to be sung. Mano, the youngest apprentice, coaxed one down and found a key tied to its leg — a key stamped with the same violet glyph. With the reduction in crashes and freezes, players
1.6.0 update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released on April 25, 2019
Not all welcomed the change. A few guardians, confused by altered patterns, became more aggressive until Link learned to read their new rhythms and move with them. A band of merchants lost routes they’d relied on; Tarrey Town’s builders found the road to their outpost shifted overnight. But many found doors where walls had been.
Most modern Switch mods, such as the BotW Randomizer , are built specifically to run on the 1.6.0 update. 📝 Technical Patch Notes Summary VR Support