The “New” Changes: What’s Actually Different?

Nintendo’s official patch notes for 1.6.0 (original) simply stated: “General stability and gameplay experience improvements.” But the new 1.6.0 update tells a different story when dataminers and emulation developers got their hands on it.

Here are the confirmed changes for the new v160 update:

3. Save Data Redundancy Patch

Several users reported that the new update fixes the dreaded “Corrupted Data” bug that occurred when transferring saves from a V1 Switch to an OLED model.

• The update adds a SHA-256 hash check for auto-saves. If you lost a 500-hour Master Mode file in 2020, this patch prevents that tragedy for new players.

What to Expect from Update 1.6.0:

• Bug Fixes: Updates often include fixes for bugs that have been reported by the community. These could range from minor graphical glitches to significant issues affecting gameplay.

• Stability Improvements: Nintendo might release updates to improve the game's stability, reducing the likelihood of crashes or freezes.

• New Features or Content: Although less common for a game like BotW, which received its major expansion (Master Trials and Champions' Ballad) years ago, an update could potentially add new features, characters, or even small-scale content.

• Security Enhancements: To protect players and prevent cheating or hacking, updates might include security patches.

2. The Main Addition: Save Data Bonuses for Age of Calamity

If you had save data from Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity on the same Switch, 1.6.0 unlocked:

• Ancient Armor Set (no DLC required)
  • Found in chests in the Great Plateau (Oman Au Shrine area)
  • Same stats as the standard Ancient Armor but visually unique
• Ancient Horse Gear (bridle & saddle)
  • Found near Outskirt Stable
  • Extends horse call range + 2 extra spurs

These items are purely cosmetic/functional — they don’t affect combat stats beyond standard Ancient gear.

3. The "1.6.0" Modding Scene (PC)

If you are looking at "1.6.0" and "new" in the same sentence, you might be stumbling into the emulation/modding community.

• On PC emulators, the "1.6.0" version is the base used for high-end mods.
• Modders are constantly releasing "new" graphics packs, FPS boosters, and HD texture packs that run on the 1.6.0 version of the game. These aren't official Nintendo updates, but they are often labeled as "New 1.6.0 Graphics Mods" in forums.

4. How to Get the 1.6.0 Exclusive Gear (Step by Step)

1. Update BotW to 1.6.0 (auto if online).
2. Have Age of Calamity save data on the same Switch profile (any progress level works).
3. Load your BotW save, then:
   • Ancient Armor set → Three chests on Great Plateau:
     • Near the Temple of Time ruins
     • Near the cliff above the Eastern Abbey
     • Behind a destructible wall near the Oman Au Shrine
   • Horse gear → Talk to the stablehand at Outskirt Stable (near Dueling Peaks) — he’ll give you the bridle/saddle.

No DLC for BotW or AoC is required.

What Exactly is the Zelda BotW 1.6.0 Update?

First, let’s clarify the numbers. The standard Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch has historically sat at Version 1.6.0 for years following the final DLC pack (The Champions’ Ballad). However, the recent keyword surge—specifically “zelda botw 160 update new”—refers to a re-release or a silent recompilation of that same 1.6.0 patch, but with a radically different internal build date.

In August/September 2023, Nintendo quietly pushed a new cartridge revision (Rev 3) and a patch manifest that increments the underlying SDK (Software Development Kit) to a newer version. While the game menu still says “Ver. 1.6.0,” the codebase is brand new.