By Hyrule Historian
Almost six years after its launch, Nintendo dropped a new update for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild in February 2023. The patch notes were famously cryptic: "Ver. 1.6.0 – Several fixes to improve gameplay experience."
But within hours, dataminers and fans noticed something odd. The update file size was roughly 160 MB—small by modern standards, but significant for a game already considered "complete." Almost immediately, a rumor began spreading across Reddit and Twitter: This isn't just bug fixes. It's an "extra quality" patch.
Thus was born the meme and misnomer: "BotW Update 1.6.0 – 160 Extra Quality."
The DLC motorcycle currently has a frustrating 30-second cooldown after exploding. EQ reduces this to 10 seconds and adds a visual fuel gauge near the minimap.
| Aspect | Pre-1.6.0 | Post-1.6.0 | |--------|-----------|-------------| | Korok Forest frame rate | Drops to ~20 FPS | Stable 25–30 FPS (Wii U) / 30 FPS (Switch) | | Master Mode enemy regeneration tick | Every 0.5 sec (aggressive) | Every 1 sec (fairer) | | Blood Moon reset lag | 2–3 sec stutter | <1 sec stutter | | Menu inventory load (300+ items) | 1.2 sec | 0.7 sec |
These aren’t “new features,” but the quality improvement is unmistakable.
Official BOTW Update 1.60 is just a stability fix. If you are playing on a stock Nintendo Switch, updating to 1.60 changes nothing visually. Do it anyway for the cloud saves.
"Extra Quality" is the gateway to the ultimate Breath of the Wild experience. If you own a gaming PC or an overclocked Switch, pairing Update 1.60 with the Extra Quality graphics pack transforms a 2017 game into a competitor for 2024 AAA titles.
The magic of Hyrule was always there—Update 1.60 simply provided the stable foundation for the community to scrape away the hardware limitations. Whether you are fighting a Lynel on the Great Plateau or shield-surfing in the Hebra Mountains, "Extra Quality" makes you stop and look at the horizon.
Should you install it?
Have you tried BOTW 1.60 with Extra Quality? Share your performance specs and settings in the comments below. botw update 160 extra quality
"Piece: botw update 1.6.0 extra quality" refers to unofficial community-made graphic packs for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild when played via the Cemu emulator on PC.
While the official game only goes up to version 1.6.0 on Wii U/Switch, PC players use modular updates (often labeled as "extra quality" or "graphics packs") to push the game's visuals far beyond its original console limitations. Key Features of "Extra Quality" Graphic Packs
These enhancements are typically found in the Cemu Graphic Packs menu under "Workarounds" or "Graphics":
Resolution Scaling: Allows the game to run at 4K (3840x2160) or even higher, providing much sharper textures compared to the original 720p/900p.
160+ FPS Support: Using the FPS++ mod, players can unlock the framerate. While 60 FPS is standard for many, high-end PCs can reach 1440p at 160 FPS for ultra-smooth gameplay.
Shadow & Light Quality: Packs like "Extra Quality" or "Enhanced Reflections" increase shadow resolution, remove "banding" in gradients, and improve the fidelity of light shafts (God rays).
Extended Draw Distance: Significantly increases the distance at which trees, grass, and enemies are rendered, eliminating the "pop-in" effect seen on the Switch.
Clarity & Bloom: Removes the hazy "fog" filter present in the original game for a more vibrant, clear look, though some users prefer the original aesthetic. How to Apply These Updates
If you are looking to install these, the process is handled through the emulator rather than an official game update: Open Cemu and right-click on Breath of the Wild. Select Edit Graphic Packs.
Click Download latest community graphic packs at the bottom right.
Navigate to the Graphics or Workarounds category to toggle "Extra Quality" or high-resolution settings. By Hyrule Historian Almost six years after its
BOTW on Switch 2 without the upgrade. Is performance still boosted?
1.6.0 update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild , originally released on April 25, 2019, provided a significant boost to technical performance and introduced a unique way to view Hyrule. While officially known for Labo VR support
, the update's "extra quality" is most felt in its hidden performance improvements. 1. Drastic Reduction in Loading Times
The most impactful "quality of life" change in version 1.6.0 was the implementation of "Boost Mode."
By temporarily overclocking the Switch's CPU during loading screens, the update significantly cut down wait times. Faster Fast-Travel:
Some loading screens were reduced by nearly half, with tests showing drops from 26 seconds to just 14 seconds in certain areas. Seamless Transition:
This improved the experience of jumping between Shrines and Towers, making the massive world feel more accessible. 2. Virtual Reality via Nintendo Labo The update added a specialized VR Goggles toggle in the Options menu under "System".
Title: The Definitive Breakdown: Understanding the "Breath of the Wild" Version 1.6.0 and the Pursuit of "Extra Quality"
In the modding community, specific terminology often evolves to describe the pinnacle of performance for a specific game. For The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (BOTW), the phrase "Update 1.6.0 Extra Quality" has become a touchstone for enthusiasts looking to push the game beyond its original Nintendo Switch limitations. This usually refers to the specific game version required for the most stable high-end mods, running on PC emulators, to achieve a "Definitive Edition" experience.
Here is a detailed piece exploring what Update 1.6.0 is, why it is crucial for high-quality modding, and how it transforms the game.
Breath of the Wild uses a gorgeous cel-shaded aesthetic, but the Switch’s low bandwidth introduces a “dirty” sharpening filter. The EQ update would replace this with Temporal Anti-Aliasing (TAA) , eliminating jaggies on Link’s hood and the Master Sword’s glow. Official BOTW Update 1
Specific visual changes:
A common question arises: Why not use a newer version or the Switch v1.7.0 update?
The answer lies in Mod Compatibility and Scene Uniformity.
Given Nintendo’s update history, 1.6.0 would be a free 4.2GB download. To enable “Extra Quality” mode:
Save data remains compatible. All glitches like “Moon Jump” and “Menu Overload” are patched out—the true cost of stability.
Breath of the Wild’s 1.6.0 update was never meant to be flashy. It was a quiet, professional polish pass—a "gold master" touch before the studio fully shifted to Tears of the Kingdom. The "160 extra quality" meme is a perfect example of the internet taking a mundane patch and injecting it with legend.
Does the update make BotW a new game? No. But it makes a great game run with just a bit more grace. And in the age of broken AAA launches, that "extra quality" is nothing to sneeze at.
Bottom Line: Download the update. Ignore the memes. Enjoy the slightly smoother grass physics. Hyrule waits for no one.
Have you noticed a difference with update 1.6.0? Share your "extra quality" sightings in the comments.
Note: Update 1.6.0 was the final major patch for Breath of the Wild (released alongside The Champion’s Ballad DLC). While the official patch notes listed “various fixes,” the community identified several subtle but impactful Extra Quality improvements.