A new Nintendo Switch firmware update is now live worldwide, introducing general stability improvements as well as a change regarding nicknames and plenty of under-the-hood tweaks.
The 16.0.0 firmware update, as confirmed on the official Nintendo website, makes it so that user nicknames that cannot be used are replaced with question marks. Additionally, the new update introduces general system stability improvements to enhance the experience.
Ver. 16.0.0 (Released February 20, 2023)
- User nicknames that cannot be used will be replaced with “???” which can be updated from the profile settings.
- General system stability improvements to enhance the user's experience.
Outside of these changes, the new Nintendo Switch firmware update brings plenty of other undocumented changes, as confirmed by OatmealDome. The new update makes some changes to the bad words database and how bad word checking is handled, updates the built-in browser, adds new error messages, and more.
[Nintendo Switch Firmware Update]
Version 16.0.0 is out. 🧵
This update appears to be focused on the internals of the OS.
The way the OS handles bad word checking was slightly redesigned. The code was moved into its own module seemingly to avoid unnecessary code duplication.
— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) February 21, 2023
The QR code in the header image for the “Got Questions About Nintendo Switch?” built-in news item for some regions was updated to use a HTTPS URL.
The HDMI logo in the legal notices section of System Settings was updated to remove the HDMI connector diagram.
— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) February 21, 2023
Many OS modules were modified in this update. Changes can vary from simple recompiles with the latest SDK to actual modifications.
For up-to-date information about changes made to system internals, please refer to SwitchBrew: https://t.co/iUVSACpT09.
— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) February 21, 2023
It has been some time since new features were added to the Nintendo Switch console with firmware updates, and with the console being so far in its lifecycle, not much should be expected for the future. While Nintendo hasn't talked about the successor of one of its most popular systems, there have been indications that a new system is in the works, such as a redacted mention of a new platform found in a recent CMA document.
About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band.
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