To evolve Inkay in Pokemon Legends Z-A, get it to level 30 or higher, play in handheld mode with the Joy-Con attached, turn the whole console upside down, then open your party, select Inkay and choose Evolve. Unlike older games, you do not have to level up while the console is flipped, but the usual “ready to evolve” arrow never appears on Inkay’s icon, which can make it look like the method is not working. Below we cover where to catch Inkay, the step-by-step method, fixes for when the option will not show, and how to get Mega Malamar.
This covers Pokemon Legends Z-A on Nintendo Switch and in the Switch 2 Edition, verified against the official patch notes through version 2.0.2, none of which changed Inkay’s evolution.
Where to Catch Inkay
Per the community wiki’s spawn data, every wild Inkay in Lumiose is already above level 30, so the one you catch can usually evolve right away:
| Where | Opens | Levels |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Zone 11 (Jaune District) | Main Mission 15 | 31 to 33 |
| The Sewers, main access | Once the story takes you there | 35 to 37 |
| The Sewers, canal access | Once the story takes you there | 38 to 39 |
Wild Zone 11 is the easiest spot and opens earliest. If your Inkay came from somewhere else and is below level 30, battle with it or feed it Exp. Candies until it gets there.
Want to skip evolving entirely? Per the community wiki, Malamar itself spawns in Wild Zone 20, which opens at Main Mission 39 after the credits, and in some hyperspace wild zones in the Mega Dimension DLC.
Step-by-Step: How to Evolve Inkay Into Malamar
Evolution in Z-A is manual. For most Pokemon, an arrow appears on the party icon when they are ready, and you choose Evolve. Inkay is the exception: the arrow never shows, and the Evolve option only appears while the console is upside down.
- Get Inkay to level 30 or higher and put it in your party.
- Switch to handheld mode. Take the console off the dock, attach the Joy-Con, and disconnect any Pro Controller or detached Joy-Con.
- Press X to open the menu and go to your party.
- Turn the console upside down and keep holding it that way.
- Select Inkay. The Evolve option appears while the console is inverted. Choose it and Inkay becomes Malamar.
| Setup | Works for Inkay |
|---|---|
| Switch or Switch 2 in handheld mode, Joy-Con attached | Yes |
| Docked on a TV | No: the game cannot read the console’s orientation |
| Handheld with a Pro Controller still connected | No: disconnect it first |
Why the Evolve Option Is Not Showing
If you have flipped the console and still see nothing, check these in order:
- Inkay is under level 30. The orientation trick does nothing before then.
- You are docked, or a controller is connected. Community write-ups for Switch games note that the flip is read from the attached Joy-Con, so only handheld play with no other controller counts.
- You selected Inkay before flipping. Player guides describe turning the console over first and then selecting Inkay, so do it in that order.
- You are waiting for the arrow. It never appears for Inkay. Select Inkay anyway while the console is inverted.
Mega Malamar
Malamar is one of the Pokemon with a Mega Evolution in Z-A. Per the community wiki’s shop listings, Malamarite trades for 240 Mega Shards at the Mega Shard exchange in Quasartico Inc., and player guides report it becomes available after Main Mission 35. Give it to Malamar to hold, build Mega Power in battle by landing attacks, and it can Mega Evolve.
Related Evolutions in Z-A
Inkay is the odd one out: it needs a console trick but no second player. Several other Z-A evolutions go the other way and require a trade, including Kadabra and Haunter. Our guides on how to evolve Kadabra and how to evolve Haunter cover the trade steps and the solo workarounds. If you are heading into the Sewers for a higher-level Inkay, our guide on how to heal in Pokemon Legends Z-A covers the fastest ways to keep your team topped up, and if you are still deciding which console to play on, see whether the Switch 2 Edition is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What level does Inkay evolve in Pokemon Legends Z-A? Level 30. Every wild Inkay in Lumiose already spawns above that level, so a freshly caught one can usually evolve straight away.
Do you have to level up Inkay while the console is upside down? No. In Z-A you only need to hold the console upside down while selecting Inkay in your party and choosing Evolve.
Can you evolve Inkay while the Switch is docked? No. The game reads the orientation from the handheld console and attached Joy-Con, so undock it first.
Why is there no evolve arrow on my Inkay? The arrow never appears for Inkay. Turn the console upside down, then select Inkay, and the Evolve option will be there if it is level 30 or higher.
Where do you catch Inkay in Legends Z-A? Wild Zone 11 in the Jaune District, or either access route of the Sewers, per the community wiki’s spawn data.