Through community graphics packs, players bypassed the native 30 FPS cap of the Switch. In 2021, playing BotW at a locked 60 FPS—or even 120 FPS—on PC became incredibly stable. High-end rigs could render Hyrule in native 4K, removing the jagged edges and blurry horizons found on the original console hardware. 2. Ray Tracing and Reshade
In 2021, though no new content patches were released, version 1.6.0 became the "Gold Standard" for the community:
However, Nintendo's official stance remained quiet. The core retail versions of the game on Nintendo Switch and Wii U effectively capped out at version 1.5.0 (and minor stability variations like 1.6.0 depending on the regional bundle or digital eShop compilations that included DLC on the cartridge). What Did the 2021 Version Iterations Actually Change?
While "1.6.0" is the official update number, in the Switch home menu, updates are often displayed as "Version 1.6.0". If you are seeing a specific error or behavior regarding "160," it is usually related to the Wii U version of the game (which used different numbering) or a specific network error code (Error Code 160-xxxx), but for the standard Switch release in 2021, the features listed above are what the update provided. botw update 160 2021
This article dives into what this update introduced, why it was relevant in 2021, and how it impacts the experience of traversing Hyrule. What Did BOTW Update 1.6.0 Bring?
remains a foundational milestone in the lifecycle of Nintendo's open-world masterpiece. Originally pushed live on April 25, 2019, this legacy update became highly discussed online in 2021 as a surge of new players purchased physical cartridges pre-loaded with Version 1.6.0 as their factory default baseline. This specific version stands as a turning point for the game, bridging the gap between Nintendo's experimental hardware era and the tight-knit community of speedrunners and glitch enthusiasts. Key Patch Notes and Feature Highlights
The update enabled a firmware feature that temporarily overclocked the Switch’s CPU during loading screens. This resulted in a dramatic performance upgrade across the board. Loading Scenario Before Update 1.6.0 After Update 1.6.0 ~32 seconds ~21 seconds Fast Traveling ~15 seconds ~11 seconds Entering Shrines ~12 seconds ~7 seconds What Did the 2021 Version Iterations Actually Change
While this phrasing sounds vague, it usually points to data optimization, security updates, and general software stability. The Real Reason Behind the Update
: The update aimed at resolving rare technical glitches that could cause the game to behave unexpectedly. VR Mode Persistence
Minor bug fixes were included to maintain game stability across both the Nintendo Switch and Wii U versions. Updating Your Game A tiny fix
Players can turn their heads to look around; however, it is advised to take breaks to avoid motion sickness. Conclusion
However, one quality-of-life change slipped through: the Photo Album’s sorting filter now remembers your last choice. A tiny fix, but one that saved thousands of clicks for completionists hunting down every fauna entry.