If you’re playing Pokémon Legends: Z‑A and wondering how to evolve Inkay into Malamar, you’ve come to the right place. This evolution method is a bit out of the ordinary – but with the right steps, you’ll have it done in no time. Below is a friendly, clear guide that walks you through every requirement and tip so you can evolve Inkay smoothly.
Before Inkay can evolve, make sure you’ve taken care of the basic requirements:
- Inkay must be in your party.
- Inkay must reach level 30 or above.
- Your device (Nintendo Switch/ Switch 2) must be in handheld mode with Joy-Con controllers attached.
- You’ll need to flip the console upside down when initiating the evolution.
These are the core conditions you must meet for the evolution to trigger.
Step-by-Step: How to evolve Inkay
Here’s how to go from having Inkay to getting Malamar, step by step.
- Level up Inkay until it is at least level 30. Once that threshold is met, the evolution becomes possible.
- Make sure Inkay is in your active party (not boxed away).
- Switch your console into handheld mode, with both Joy-Cons attached to the console.
- Physically flip the console upside down (so what was “top” becomes “bottom”).
- Open the menu, select your party, open Inkay’s tab. You should see the option to evolve.
- Select “Evolve” while the console remains upside down. Inkay will then evolve into Malamar.
Why the upside-down requirement?
This method stands out because it uses the console’s orientation rather than some in-game item or special condition. The upside-down flip is a quirky evolution trigger that has been retained from earlier games, but in Pokémon Legends: Z-A the requirement is a little clearer: simply flip the console and select evolve. The glowing arrow that normally signals evolution readiness may not appear, so even if you don’t see that arrow, you can still evolve as long as you meet the requirements.
Quick checklist for success
To make sure you don’t miss a detail, here’s a quick checklist:
- Inkay is level 30 or higher
- Inkay is in your party
- Joy-Cons are attached in handheld mode
- Console is flipped upside down
- Evolution option is selected
Tick off each item and you should be good to go.
Common issues and troubleshooting
Here are some problems players encounter and how to fix them:
- No evolution option visible: Double-check that Inkay is level 30+ and in your party. Also verify that the console is in handheld mode with Joy-Cons attached and that you have physically flipped the device.
- Arrow icon missing: In this game, the evolution arrow might not appear next to Inkay. Don’t worry if you don’t see it — focus on the steps instead.
- Using detached Joy-Cons or pro controller: Some players have reported issues if the Joy-Cons are detached or a pro controller is used. Best use the Joy-Cons attached to the console.
- Forgot to flip the console: It might feel odd, but that upside-down orientation is required. Hold the console so the screen is inverted and then select evolve.
After evolving: What changes?
Once Inkay becomes Malamar, you’ll notice the following:
- Malamar retains its Psychic/Dark typing and may have different stats, moves, or evolution potential in the game meta.
- With Malamar on your team, you’re now able to use it at its full potential for battles, exploration, or other game mechanics.
- Because this evolution was a bit unusual, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment for getting it right.
Why bother evolving Inkay?
You might ask: “Why do I need Malamar anyway?” Here are a few good reasons:
- Having evolution-complete Pokémon boosts your in-game completion and satisfaction.
- Malamar may have stronger stats or access to different moves than Inkay.
- It helps you progress in the game’s Pokédex, challenges, and possibly special events tied to evolved forms.
