How to Evolve Inkay into Malamar in Pokémon X and Y

Last Updated: March 4, 2021

Inkay has a unique method of evolution in Pokémon X and Y. This article will explain how you can evolve your Inkay into the Dark/Psychic-type Malamar in the games.

Steps

1
Catch an Inkay. You can catch one on Route 8 or Azure Bay.
2
Level it up to level 29.

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3
Once it's close to getting to level 30, to the point where another battle will level it up, go into a battle.
4
During the battle, hold your 3DS upside down. Holding it upside down is part of the method to evolving it.
5
Defeat the enemy Pokémon. If it's a wild Pokémon, you can also catch it. Once the battle ends, your Inkay will level up to level 30, and evolve. You can turn your 3DS right-side up while it's evolving.
6
Enjoy your new Malamar!

Community Q&A

Question

Can I still do it when it's over level 30?

Community Answer

Yes. Like other Pokemon, it will attempt to evolve every level until it reaches level 100. Of course, your 3DS has to be upside down for it to work.
Question

How would the DS or 3DS know that the device is upside down?

Community Answer

The original DS wouldn't have any way of knowing. This only works on the 3DS, because it has an internal gyroscope. That's how it tracks motion in other games, too.
Question

Why do we have to have it upside down?

Community Answer

This is one of the few gag evolutions I can think of. The sprites of Malamar and Inkay appear to just be upside-down versions of each other, with the evolved having tentacles coming from the top and the unevolved having tentacles out the bottom. Turning the device upside down is just a gag from GameFreak showing this.