Botw Update 160 Exclusive -
If you want, I can draft a short announcement blurb or in-game help text for this update.
While there is no official "Update 160" for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
(the latest major official release is Version 1.6.0), recent community buzz has centered around datamined references and "exclusive" features tied to this specific version number.
The following article explores the confirmed history of Version 1.6.0 and the surrounding rumors of its "exclusive" content.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild — Unpacking the "160 Exclusive" Mystery Years after its initial release, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
continues to surprise fans. Recently, the term "Update 160 Exclusive" has gained traction in community forums and datamining circles. While the official title for the patch is Version 1.6.0, its impact on the game's longevity—and its exclusive features—remains a hot topic for Hylian historians. What is Version 1.6.0?
Released on April 25, 2019, Version 1.6.0 was a significant, Nintendo Switch-exclusive update. Unlike previous minor stability patches, this version introduced technical shifts that fundamentally changed how the game interact with hardware. Key Official Features:
Nintendo Labo VR Support: The update made the game compatible with the Toy-Con VR Goggles from the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. Players can toggle this "VR Goggles" mode in the System Options menu to experience Hyrule in a specialized 3D view.
"Boost Mode" Loading: One of the most celebrated hidden features of 1.6.0 is the significant reduction in load times. By utilizing a "boost mode" that temporarily increases the Switch's CPU clock speed during loading screens, transitions into shrines and the overworld became noticeably faster. The "Exclusive" Datamine Rumors botw update 160 exclusive
The "160 Exclusive" phrase originates from dataminers who uncovered internal flags within the update's code. These flags suggest that Nintendo treated this version as a distinct branch for the Switch, separating it from the Wii U codebase entirely.
Actor Metadata Overhaul: Dataminers found that nearly all "actor" metadata (objects, NPCs, and enemies) were updated to require a larger instance heap. This suggests a core engine refinement exclusive to the 1.6.0 architecture.
Unused Flags: Three new internal flags were added: Ichigeki_Pedestal_Appear, DisplaySpecialMode, and DisplaySpecialOnce. While Ichigeki refers to the One-Hit Obliterator from the DLC, the "SpecialMode" flags remain a mystery, leading to speculation about unreleased "exclusive" event content or testing modes. The Future: Version 1.8.0 and Beyond
While 1.6.0 held the crown for years, the release of the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025 has since pushed the game to Version 1.8.0 and 1.9.0. These newer "exclusive" versions introduce:
Switch 2 Enhanced Support: Improved performance and stability specifically for the newer hardware.
Expanded Language Packs: Added support for Brazilian Portuguese (1.8.0) and Thai (1.9.0). How to Ensure You Have the "Exclusive" Features
To access the VR mode and improved loading times, ensure your game is fully updated via the official Nintendo Support guide: Connect your Nintendo Switch to the internet. Highlight the Breath of the Wild icon on the HOME Menu. Press the + or - button. Select Software Update > Via the Internet.
Whether "Update 160" was simply a technical bridge or a container for secrets yet to be found, it remains the definitive turning point for the Switch version of Link's first open-air adventure. 6.0 and the newer Switch 2 updates? How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild If you want, I can draft a short
The phrase "botw update 160 exclusive" typically refers to a specific piece of fan-made content or a modding update , rather than an official Nintendo release. Since The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
(BotW) officially ended its update cycle years ago (with the final version being 1.6.0), the "exclusive" tag is almost always associated with the BCML (BotW Cross-Platform Mod Loader) or "Expansion" packs created by the modding community. Context of "Update 160"
Official Version 1.6.0: This was the final official update released by Nintendo in 2019, which primarily added Labo VR support. It did not include new gameplay content or "exclusives."
Modding Community: The term is frequently used in titles for Wii U (Cemu) or Switch mod showcases. These updates often include "exclusive" features like 4K textures, new armor sets, or "Second Wind" (a massive fan-made expansion). Key Features often found in these "Exclusive" Updates:
Resolution & Performance: Unlocked framerates (60fps+) and 4K resolution enhancements for emulator users.
New Content: Fan-made quests, dungeons, and bosses that are not in the base game.
Quality of Life: Features like "Crafting," "Blacksmithing," or extended storage that Nintendo never officially implemented.
Asset Replacements: Re-skinning Link to look like other characters (e.g., Zelda, Linkle, or Cloud Strife). Is it a Virus? If you are thinking of the new Zelda game, Version 1
If you found this text as a link for a "Download," be extremely cautious. "Update 160 Exclusive" is a common template used by clickbait sites or malicious "repack" uploaders.
Only download BotW mods from reputable sources like GameBanana or the official Nexus Mods page.
Official Nintendo updates happen automatically through your console; they are never distributed as "exclusive" files on third-party text sites.
Important Clarification First:
There is no official "Update 1.6.0" for Breath of the Wild. The final major patch for the Wii U and Switch versions is Version 1.5.0 (or 1.5.1 for minor stability).
However, within the emulation and modding community (specifically Cemu for Wii U emulation), "1.6.0" refers to a community-created, unofficial update that restores/creates exclusive features. This guide covers that.
If you are thinking of the new Zelda game, Version 1.6.0 does exist for Tears of the Kingdom. It was released in late 2024 and added an "Exclusive" feature: the ability to finally pause the game during the Endless Doggy Dogo River Rush mini-game, along with various bug fixes.
If you are looking for the update that actually brought exclusive, game-changing features to BOTW, you are thinking of Version 1.3.0 (and its minor fix, 1.3.3, released in late 2017).
This was the massive "Quality of Life" update that added features we now consider essential. The exclusives added in this update included:
This is the bombshell. After defeating Ganon in 1.6.0, the game does not revert to the pre-boss save file automatically. Instead, you wake up in a new mini-area on the coast of the Hebra Mountains: Silent Princess Grove.
