Players can still steal the Master Sword early using wood and flint.
For players utilizing software like Cemu or other legacy frameworks, Version 1.6.0 has long been considered the . Preservation of Advanced Glitches
Source: Nintendo Official Support Page [6†L23-L27] update 16 0 zelda botw new
However, the most likely scenarios for your question are:
One of the biggest focuses of recent BotW updates has been optimizing performance on newer hardware. Players exploring Hyrule on the Nintendo Switch 2 can expect a more stable experience. Players can still steal the Master Sword early
Testing conducted shortly after the update revealed major improvements in load times. Prior to the patch, fast traveling between regions or entering a Shrine required a wait of roughly . After installing update 1.6.0, those load times dropped significantly to roughly 11 seconds for many of the same actions [12†L10-L15].
: Developers used geometric shapes, specifically triangles, to structure the fields and strategically obscure or reveal landmarks, encouraging organic exploration [9]. Players exploring Hyrule on the Nintendo Switch 2
was a significant update, released on February 1, 2018. This update addressed several issues related to the game’s stability, performance, and certain challenges.
: Starting a "New Game" in the menu will erase your current save . To keep your old save, create a new profile on your console before starting.
"Update 16.0 Zelda BOTW New" may be a slightly misremembered version number, but it points to a genuine and important moment in the game's history: and the VR/loading time improvements it brought in 2019. That update transformed how players experienced Hyrule, making everything faster and adding an entirely new way to explore.
Developers have stated that recent updates are focused on preservation and stability, rather than adding new dungeons or massive new content. 4. How to Ensure You Have the Latest BotW Update