Here is the complete list of changes Nintendo officially documented (and a few they didn't).
At the time, fake “1.6.0 patch notes” spread online. Here’s what is not in this update:
The specific patch note provided by Nintendo stated: "Channel feature added to the title menu." zelda botw 160 update full
This feature is often misunderstood or overlooked. In the context of the Switch, this update was implemented to facilitate the use of the Nintendo Labo VR Kit. While the VR support was added in the previous update (v1.5.0), v1.6.0 refined the "Channel" menu selection. This allowed for easier switching between standard play modes and the specific configurations required for Toy-Con accessories. It acted as a mode selector, cleaning up the UI for players utilizing the VR goggles, ensuring the game could toggle between the two distinct rendering modes (standard and stereoscopic VR) without requiring a restart.
✅ The update is free and required if you plan to transfer save data to Tears of the Kingdom (the save bonus works across any version, but 1.6.0 ensures full compatibility). Here is the complete list of changes Nintendo
| Aspect | Rating (1-10) | |--------|----------------| | Stability Improvement | 7/10 (minor crash fixes) | | Content Addition | 1/10 (effectively zero) | | Community Impact | 4/10 (positive for Wii U owners, negative for glitch hunters) | | Necessity to Install | 9/10 (required for online features & latest amiibo) | | Long-term Relevance | 3/10 (except for archival/completionist players) |
Conclusion for the search “zelda botw 160 update full”:
If you already have v1.5.0 or v1.6.0, you are missing nothing in terms of gameplay. The “full” version simply means you can scan 2019’s amiibo and have the last crash fixes. No new quests. No new map. No new story. The specific patch note provided by Nintendo stated:
Recommendation: Update to 1.6.0 only if you use modern amiibo or want the final stable build. If you enjoy glitches or speedrunning, stay on v1.5.0 (or earlier) – but you will lose online features.
Report compiled based on Nintendo’s official patch notes, datamining from SwitchBrew, speedrun.com rule changes, and community testing threads from November–December 2019.
| System | Modification | |--------|----------------| | Memory Optimization | Reduced stuttering in Korok Forest (CPU-heavy area) and Hyrule Castle’s exterior when using in-game screenshots. | | Save Data Structure | Expanded save file metadata to accommodate future compatibility with Tears of the Kingdom pre-order bonuses (speculative but logged by data miners). | | Physics Engine | Minor tweak to ragdoll collision detection – fixed a rare crash when a Stasis-launched object hit a Guardian’s leg at a specific angle. |