ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — My Little Pony has finally taken its place among the greats, securing a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame.
This year, My Little Pony was recognized alongside the iconic Transformers action figures and the popular Phase 10 card game, officially marking the pastel ponies’ triumph after several years of being an “also-ran.”
The selection of these honorees came through voting by a panel of experts, along with input from the public, who chose from a competitive field of 12 finalists. Other contenders this year included the party game Apples to Apples, classic balloons, the beloved “Choose Your Own Adventure” gamebooks, Hess Toy Trucks, the Pokémon Trading Card Game, remote-controlled vehicles, Sequence, stick horses, and trampolines.
Christopher Bensch, the vice president for collections and chief curator, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “These are three very deserving toys that showcase the diverse ways people engage in play. However, for My Little Pony, this year feels particularly rewarding, especially since it was a finalist seven times before finally achieving victory!”
AP correspondent Shelley Adler reports on the trio of toys honored this year at the Strong Museum of Play.
The My Little Pony brand, which features mini-horses adorned with unique “cutie marks” on their flanks, first debuted in the 1980s and saw a successful rebranding in 2003, at one point outselling even Barbie.
A key reason for the brand’s enduring popularity is its ability to stimulate creativity and imagination through fantasy and storytelling, qualities that the Toy Hall of Fame values in its inductees, alongside sustained popularity over time.
Michelle Parnett-Dwyer, curator of dolls and toys, noted, “The My Little Pony collection has remained relevant for decades, thanks to its blend of traditional doll play and children’s love for horses. The variety of figures also fosters a collecting hobby.”
Introduction of Phase 10 occurred in 1982, thanks to inventive entrepreneur Ken Johnson. Nowadays, Mattel distributes over two million decks worldwide each year, in more than 20 languages, making it one of the best-selling card games globally, as highlighted by the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester.
Phase 10 features a rummy-like gameplay style, where players aim to compile sets of cards to successfully complete a sequence of 10 phases before their opponents do.
“Whether played in the traditional format or one of its various adaptations, Phase 10 has cemented itself as a classic game title that promotes social interaction and competition across generations,” said Mirek Stolee, the museum’s curator of board games and puzzles.
Transformers made their debut in the 1980s when Hasbro acquired the rights to several existing Japanese robot toy lines. Initially launched alongside a cartoon series, these figures have since led to a successful franchise of live-action films and have spurred discussions on social media regarding must-have figures and the complexities of transforming them into various alternate forms.
As Bensch remarked, “Regularly introducing new Transformers characters keeps collectors engaged, and the toys align perfectly with the imaginative play patterns of children, feeding their creativity and fantasy.”
Anyone interested can nominate a toy for the Hall of Fame. Each year, museum staff curates a shortlist of 12 finalists, and votes from fans are counted alongside those from a national advisory committee composed of historians, educators, and industry experts.
