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In Year 6 (1987-1988) of the My Little Pony Generation 1 lineup, Hasbro introduced several new families of ponies. Find our more here!
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Year 6 of My Little Pony G1 (1987-1988) really shook things up compared to previous years, adding tons of fun, interactive features that made the ponies even more exciting to play with.
One of the biggest changes was the Brush ‘n Grow Ponies, which had magical tails that could be pulled out to make them longer and then retracted by twisting their heads—basically a built-in hairstyling trick that made grooming even more fun. Another super cool addition was the Sundae Best Ponies, which weren’t just adorable with their dessert-themed symbols, but they were also scented, making them smell as sweet as they looked! This year also saw the debut of the Big Brother Ponies, a group of larger, more rugged ponies that gave a totally different vibe compared to the dainty designs of previous years.
Overall, Year 6 felt like a big step forward in creativity, adding features that made the ponies feel more interactive and full of personality. Hasbro was definitely finding new ways to keep things fresh, and it totally worked!
The Twice as Fancy Ponies were notable for their elaborate designs, featuring symbols that extended beyond their flanks to cover more of their bodies, giving them a more decorative appearance. This set included ponies like Dancing Butterflies and Sugarberry, each adorned with intricate patterns that made them stand out in the lineup.
The Magic Message Ponies brought an interactive element to playtime. These ponies had heat-sensitive symbols that would change when rubbed, revealing hidden images. For example, Cloud Dreamer‘s symbol would transform to show different scenes, adding a sense of magic and surprise to the toys.
The Brush ‘n Grow Ponies featured an innovative design with extendable tails. By pulling their tails, children could make them longer, and by turning the pony’s head, the tail would retract. This feature allowed for creative hairstyling and added a new dimension to grooming play.
The Princess Ponies (Year Six) continued the royal theme with new additions to the princess lineup. These ponies were adorned with regal symbols and often came with accessories like crowns or scepters, enhancing their majestic appeal.
The Sundae Best Ponies were a sweet addition, each featuring dessert-themed symbols and a delightful scent to match. Ponies like Banana Surprise and Peppermint Crunch not only looked delectable but also added a sensory experience to playtime.
The Happy Tails Ponies introduced a playful feature with tails that would wag when their heads were turned. This interactive element brought the ponies to life, making them more engaging companions for children. Due to their mechanical feature, Happy Tails Ponies are highly sought-after by collectors, especially when found in good condition with a functioning tail mechanism!
The Big Brother Ponies made a return with new characters, each designed with a more rugged and adventurous look. These male ponies often came with accessories like bandanas and hats, emphasizing their adventurous spirit.

Thundercloud is a deep thinker, always gazing at the sky and wondering what the next storm will bring. His coat is lavender coat and his hair pink, streaked with blue. His symbol is a white cloud with raindrops.

Ice Crystal is a calm, cool, and collected pony who brings a sense of peace wherever he goes. His light green coat and white mane streaked with green make him look as crisp and refreshing as freshly fallen snow.

Lightning is a true force of nature—powerful and fast. He has an orange body and a yellow mane streaked with white, making him look like a bolt of energy, and his symbol is a cloud with a lightning bolt.

Sunburst is as bright and cheerful as his name suggests, always bringing warmth and positivity to those around him. With his yellow body and red mane streaked with yellow, he radiates the energy of a sunny day.

Tornado is a whirlwind of excitement, always moving fast and stirring up adventure wherever he goes. His blue body and white mane with a blue streak give him a crisp, cool appearance.

Fireball stands out with his bright pink coat and deep purple mane accented by a yellow streak. His symbol is a yellow sun with orange rays, reflecting his fiery and energetic personality.

Chief is a brave and dependable Big Brother Pony, always ready to rush in and save the day. With his strong white coat and a bold blue mane streaked with yellow, he has the look of a true hero.

Wigwam is a strong, dependable Big Brother Pony who is always ready for a new adventure. With his bold orange coat and striking white mane with a blue streak, he stands out as a leader and protector in Ponyland.

Barnacle is a daring and adventurous pony with the heart of a true explorer. His symbol is a red treasure chest overflowing with gold coins, reflecting his love for adventure, hidden riches, and the thrill of discovery.
The Peek-A-Boo Baby Ponies featured a unique head-turning action that allowed them to play a game of peek-a-boo. Their movable heads added an interactive element, making them endearing playmates for younger children. The Newborn Twin Ponies were adorable pairs of baby ponies, each set featuring twins with matching themes. These tiny ponies emphasized the theme of family and nurturing, appealing to children’s caregiving instincts.
The Watercolor Baby Sea Ponies added a splash of color to bath time. These sea ponies came with special accessories and featured vibrant colors that made them stand out in the water. The Sweetberry Ponies were characterized by their fruit-themed symbols and sweet scents. Each pony in this set had a unique fruit motif, adding a fresh and fruity theme to the collection.
The Summerwing Ponies introduced a whimsical element with their delicate, butterfly-like wings. These ponies had a light and airy design, capturing the essence of summer and adding a touch of fantasy to the lineup. The Pony Friends set expanded the My Little Pony universe by introducing non-pony characters. These animal friends, such as Spunky the Camel and Edgar the Elephant, added diversity and new story possibilities to playtime.
The Mail Order Ponies of Year Six offered exclusive ponies that could be obtained through special promotions. These ponies were often unique variants or special editions, making them coveted additions for collectors and fans alike.
If you want to learn more about ponies and how to restore them, here are two resources that can help. The first is the unofficial MLP G1 guide (which has photos, prices, etc). The second is my own book, Restoring My Little Pony!
Restoring My Little Pony is the result of almost three years of restoring and customizing My Little Pony toys for my channel RetroGeek Crafts. The book contains 86 pages full of detailed step-by-step guides, project features, material and technique comparisons, and much more. The book is mostly focused on My Little Pony Generation 1 (MLP G1). However, these techniques can be applied to all other generations, including MLP G2, G3, G4, and even G5.
This unofficial MLP guide to the first generation of My Little Pony (known as G1) was created by Summer Hayes. The book provides everything a collector needs to identify G1 ponies and their accessories, and understand their value. The guide contains large, full color photos of every pony, playset and accessory released in the US (and in some cases in other countries) in the 1980s and 1990s.

Back in the ’80s, Hasbro decided to shake things up in the My Little Pony world by introducing the Pony Friends line. Learn more here!

In Japan in the 1980s, My Little Pony toys or dolls were produced by a company called Takara. What makes them so different from the Hasbro ponies?

All the tools and accessories you will need for restoring and repairing My Little Pony G1 toys and dolls. Rehairing tools, nylon hair, cleaning products.

In this article, we look at all the G1 Merry Go Round ponies, their accessories and where to find them. MLP G1 gift ideas for collector.

In this article, we look at all the G1 sea ponies, their accessories, and where you can get them today. Shoo be Doo! Shoo Shoo be Doo!
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