Pokemon Go features dozens of Pokemon that have special requirements to be evolved. For instance, Farfetch’d tasks you with making 10 Excellent Throws when it’s your Buddy, and Yamask wants you to win 10 Raids. Such evolutions will typically have the evolution instructions directly on the “Evolve” button and the required Candy amount. However, some Pokemon Go monsters, like Inkay, involve a bit more mystery, forcing you to solve a puzzle to get Malamar.
[Updated on March 30 – Content body revised for improved readability, and imagery has been replaced]
Inkay’s Special Evolution Requirement in Pokemon Go, Explained
Even if you have the required 50 Candy to evolve Inkay into Malamar, you will be met with the message, “Inkay needs some help evolving. Can you find out how to help Inkay?” The answer lies in the way the popup’s question mark is displayed — upside-down. In other words, to evolve Inkay in Pokemon Go, you need to turn your phone upside-down before pressing the “Evolve” button.
Once you flip your phone around and hit “Evolve,” the “Do you want to evolve Inkay” screen should appear, allowing you to continue with the evolution into Malamar in Pokemon Go. The same procedure should apply to those playing on a tablet, as both your smartphone and tablet should possess an accelerometer, the device used to detect direction and orientation. However, if you’re playing on an emulator of sorts, like Bluestacks, flipping over your laptop or PC monitor won’t do much, as comical as it might be to give it a try.
If you’re planning on taking your Malamar to Gym Raids or PvP matches, consider using the Moveset: Psycho Cut and Foul Play. Both offer decent DPS and are effective against those weak to Psychic and Dark Moves, respectively. Personally, I feel Malamar’s a bit wonky due to its odd combinations of resistance, weaknesses, and available Moves, so it’s better off sitting on display in your Pokedex than used in a battle.
