Summary:
Breath of the Wild is now on Ver. 1.9.0 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, and this update is the kind that looks modest on paper but still lands where it counts. The headline addition is Thai text support on Nintendo Switch 2, triggered by setting the system language to “Thai/English.” Once that system setting is active, the in-game text switches to Thai, which is a meaningful accessibility win for players who want to experience Hyrule in their native language. There is one important catch, though: Thai is not supported for voice audio. So if you choose “Match System Settings” in the in-game options, the spoken language remains English rather than suddenly flipping to Thai.
Outside the language addition, Nintendo’s notes are intentionally broad: “several issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience.” That line matters because it applies across platforms, even if the exact fixes are not spelled out. In other words, Ver. 1.9.0 is a stability and polish pass as much as it is a language update. If you are the sort of player who wants everything dialed in before a long session – especially if you are returning after a break – this is a good moment to update, confirm your language settings, and make sure your system is set up to grab future patches automatically. It is the gaming equivalent of tightening your shoelaces before a hike: not glamorous, but you will feel it if you ignore it.
What The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildVer. 1.9.0 changes
Ver. 1.9.0 for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is live as of February 17, 2026, and it focuses on two clear outcomes: expanding language support on Nintendo Switch 2 and smoothing out the experience through general fixes. The patch notes are short, but they are not vague about the biggest visible change – Thai text is now supported on Switch 2 when the console language is set to “Thai/English.” That is a system-level switch that directly affects what you see in menus, item descriptions, quest text, and all the little flavor lines that give Hyrule its personality. Alongside that, Nintendo states that several issues were addressed to improve gameplay. That phrase is broad on purpose, but the intent is straightforward: update, play, and let the game run with fewer snags than before. If you like keeping your library tidy and current, this is one of those “just do it now so you never think about it again” updates.
Why this patch matters even if it looks small
Some updates shout with new modes, big features, or flashy redesigns. This one is quieter, and that is exactly why it is worth paying attention to. Breath of the Wild is a huge, systemic game where small friction points can add up, especially across long play sessions. When Nintendo says issues were addressed to improve gameplay, it signals maintenance work – the kind that keeps a classic feeling reliable on modern hardware and system software. The Thai language addition is also bigger than it first appears. Language support is not just a checkbox feature, it is the difference between “I can play this” and “I can truly live in this world.” If you are returning to the game, Ver. 1.9.0 is a natural checkpoint: update first, confirm settings, then head back into the wild with fewer distractions.
Thai language support on Nintendo Switch 2
The main addition in Ver. 1.9.0 is Thai as a supported language on Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo is clear about how it works: set the Switch 2 system language to “Thai/English,” and the in-game text becomes Thai. That wording matters because it tells you this is not a toggle you hunt down inside Breath of the Wild first. The console’s language setting is the trigger, and the game follows along. This approach keeps things consistent across your system, especially if you play multiple games that reference system language settings. It also makes setup simple for households where a single console is shared and language preferences matter. Once it is set, you can boot Breath of the Wild and immediately see the difference without extra steps or guesswork.
Setting “Thai/English” at the system level
To activate Thai text, you are working with your Nintendo Switch 2 system settings, not a hidden menu inside the game. The key is choosing “Thai/English” as the system language option, which then tells compatible games what to display. After changing system language on Switch 2, the console restarts to apply it, and any suspended software closes – that is normal behavior, not a problem. Once you are back on the HOME Menu, launching Breath of the Wild after the restart is the cleanest way to ensure the new language setting takes effect. If you are switching back and forth between languages for any reason, treat the restart as part of the process and you will avoid confusion. Think of it like changing the signposts across the whole system rather than swapping a single label inside one room.
What changes in-game when Thai is active
When Thai is active through the Switch 2 “Thai/English” system setting, the change you will notice is in the game’s text. That means interface elements, menu text, quest information, descriptions, and other written UI elements will display in Thai. It is a practical improvement for readability and comfort, especially in a game where written details matter – like cooking effects, armor bonuses, shrine hints, and quest objectives. If you have ever had a moment where you misread a condition or misunderstood a requirement, you already know how important clear text can be. This is also one of those updates that helps in quiet ways: it supports different players in the same household and makes it easier to share the experience without someone acting as a full-time translator. Hyrule is still Hyrule, but now the map is written in a voice more players can instantly understand.
Audio language limits and what “Match System Settings” does
Nintendo explicitly notes that Thai is not supported for voice audio in Breath of the Wild. That means spoken dialogue does not switch to Thai, even if the system language is set to “Thai/English.” The patch notes also clarify what happens when you choose “Match System Settings” in the game’s options: the audio will be English. This is an important detail because it sets expectations. You are getting Thai text support, but voice audio remains within the game’s supported voice languages, and Thai is not one of them. If you want your experience to feel consistent, the simplest mental model is this: system language controls text display where supported, while voice audio follows the game’s available voice settings. Once you understand that split, the settings stop feeling mysterious and start feeling logical.
Nintendo Switch 2 notes you should actually care about
On Switch 2, Ver. 1.9.0 is about compatibility and comfort. The Thai text addition is the clear headline, but the bigger picture is that Breath of the Wild continues to be maintained in a way that respects how people actually play – hopping between handheld and docked, using system language preferences, and expecting settings to behave predictably. The patch notes are also careful to explain the audio limitation in plain language, which helps you avoid the classic “why didn’t this change?” confusion. If you are setting up a Switch 2 for family members, this update is especially useful because it reduces setup friction. You can handle language preferences at the system level and know exactly what will happen in-game. That kind of clarity is underrated. Nobody wants to spend their gaming time troubleshooting menus when they could be paragliding off a cliff into an ill-advised Lynel encounter.
Nintendo Switch notes and the shared “gameplay experience” fixes
Ver. 1.9.0 also applies to Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo’s wording is consistent: several issues have been addressed to improve the gameplay experience. There are no extra specifics in the provided notes, and that means we should not invent details or pretend we know exactly what changed under the hood. What we can say with confidence is that this update is positioned as a quality pass, intended to make the game behave better during normal play. If you play on original Switch hardware, it is still worth updating because these kinds of fixes are often about making sure the experience stays steady as system software evolves. Breath of the Wild is the sort of game people return to for years, and updates like this help keep that return trip feeling smooth instead of creaky.
How to download the update on Switch 2 and Switch
Getting Ver. 1.9.0 is straightforward, and you have two practical paths: let the system handle it automatically or trigger a manual check when you want it immediately. Automatic updates are the “set it and forget it” option. If your console is connected to the internet and configured for automatic software updates, it will download updates for installed software without you babysitting the process. Manual updating is better when you are about to play right now and want to confirm you are on the latest version before you start. Either way, once the update finishes, you can confirm the version from the software information screen on your console. The goal is simple: start your session knowing your base is current, so any troubleshooting you do later is not wasted on a problem an update already solved.
Automatic updates vs manual checks
Automatic updates are the low-effort option: enable the setting in your system menu and the console takes care of downloads when it is online. Manual checks are the “I want control” option: highlight the game icon, open the options menu, and choose to check for updates via the internet. The best choice depends on how you use your console. If you play frequently, automatic updates are convenient because you rarely notice patches at all. If you are on limited bandwidth or you like deciding when downloads happen, manual checks give you that control. Either way, the practical advice is the same: update before a long session, especially if you are about to sink hours into shrines, side quests, or a roaming “I swear I only logged in to cook one meal” evening that somehow becomes midnight.
Smart settings to confirm after updating
After Ver. 1.9.0 installs, take a minute to confirm the two settings that matter most for this patch: system language and in-game audio preferences. If you want Thai text on Switch 2, make sure your console language is set to “Thai/English,” then relaunch the game after the system restart. If you are curious why voice audio is still English, remember the patch note: Thai is not supported for audio, and “Match System Settings” will keep it English. It is also a good moment to confirm your general system update settings, especially automatic software updates, so future patches arrive with less effort. This is the gaming version of checking your pockets before you leave the house – keys, wallet, phone, and yes, the right language setting so you do not spend ten minutes wondering if something “didn’t install.”
If the update gets stuck or won’t finish
Most updates install without drama, but when a download or installation hangs, the fix is usually procedural rather than mysterious. Nintendo provides troubleshooting steps for situations where the software update for Breath of the Wild cannot be completed. If you see the update stall or fail, start with basics that actually matter: ensure the console is connected to the internet, confirm there is enough free system storage, and retry the update after a restart. If the issue persists, follow Nintendo’s official troubleshooting flow for this specific title, because it is tailored to the exact symptom set they document. The important part is not to panic and start randomly toggling settings like you are trying to defuse a bomb. Use the official steps, move one variable at a time, and you will usually get back to playing without turning your evening into tech support duty.
A quick routine for keeping BOTW running smoothly
If you want Breath of the Wild to feel consistent session after session, a small routine goes a long way. Keep your console system software current, keep automatic software updates enabled if that fits your household, and check game versions before big play sessions. If you share the console, set expectations around language changes, because switching system language impacts the whole system and triggers a restart. On Switch 2, remember the text and audio split: Thai text support is real and useful, but voice audio stays within the supported voice languages. Finally, when something feels off, start from the simplest explanations: version mismatch, a suspended game that needs a relaunch after system changes, or a stalled update that needs a restart and retry. It is not glamorous, but neither is slipping on a banana peel – and this routine helps you avoid that kind of self-inflicted chaos.
Conclusion
Ver. 1.9.0 is a tidy, practical update for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch. The standout change is Thai text support on Switch 2 through the “Thai/English” system language setting, paired with a clear note that Thai is not supported for voice audio and that “Match System Settings” keeps audio in English. Beyond language, Nintendo confirms general issue fixes intended to improve gameplay. The best way to get value from this patch is simple: update first, confirm your system language if you want Thai text, relaunch after any language change, and keep automatic updates enabled if you prefer fewer manual checks. Then get back to what Breath of the Wild does best – letting you choose your own adventure, even if your choice is “climb this mountain for no reason and regret it halfway up.”
FAQs
- When was Breath of the Wild Ver. 1.9.0 released?
- Ver. 1.9.0 was released on February 17, 2026.
- How do we enable Thai text in Breath of the Wild on Nintendo Switch 2?
- Set the Nintendo Switch 2 system language to “Thai/English,” restart the console when prompted, then launch the game so the text displays in Thai.
- Does Ver. 1.9.0 add Thai voice audio?
- No. Nintendo notes that Thai is not supported for audio, so voice remains in supported voice languages. If “Match System Settings” is selected, the audio will be English.
- Does this update also apply to the original Nintendo Switch version?
- Yes. Nintendo lists updates for both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, including general issue fixes to improve gameplay.
- What should we do if the update won’t finish installing?
- Follow Nintendo’s official troubleshooting for Breath of the Wild update issues, starting with checking internet connection, storage space, and retrying after a restart.
Sources
- How to Update The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Nintendo Support, February 17, 2026
- How to Change the System Language on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Support (Australia), 2025
- How to Update Software on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Support (UK), 2025
- De software-update voor The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild kan niet worden voltooid (Nintendo Switch), Nintendo Support (Nederland), 2024
