ROCHESTER, N.Y. — My Little Pony has finally achieved recognition in the National Toy Hall of Fame after several attempts over the years. On Tuesday, My Little Pony was celebrated alongside Transformers action figures and the popular card game, Phase 10. The selection was made through a voting process that involved both a panel of experts and the public, drawing from a pool of 12 finalists.
This year, the nominees included a diverse range of toys such as the party game Apples to Apples, balloons, “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 pride in the three honorees, saying, “These are three very deserving toys that showcase the wide range of how people play. For My Little Pony, this year is particularly gratifying, as it was a finalist seven times before finally succeeding!”
My Little Pony, which debuted in the 1980s and was relaunched in 2003, became exceptionally popular, even surpassing the sales of Barbie at times. The miniature horses are characterized by distinct “cutie marks” on their backs and are celebrated for fostering creativity and storytelling — a key trait for toys being inducted into the Hall of Fame. Michelle Parnett-Dwyer, the doll and toy curator, noted, “The My Little Pony line has endured for decades because it merges several traditional forms of doll play with children’s fascination with horses. Additionally, the variety of figures encourages collecting as a hobby.”
Phase 10, designed by Ken Johnson in 1982, has gained significant traction, with Mattel reportedly selling two million decks annually across 30 countries and in over 20 languages. It stands out as one of the best-selling card games globally, as highlighted by the Strong National Museum of Play, where the Hall of Fame is located. The game is reminiscent of rummy, where players work to gather card sets in sequential order to complete ten phases before their opponents.
Mirek Stolee, the curator of board games and puzzles at the museum, remarked, “Whether played in its original form or one of its variations, Phase 10 has evolved into an iconic game title that continues to foster social interactions across generations.”
Transformers originated in the 1980s when Hasbro acquired the rights to various Japanese toy lines featuring transforming robots. The toy line was initially marketed through a cartoon series and has since transitioned into a franchise with live-action films. The community surrounding Transformers thrives on social media, where enthusiasts debate must-have figures and showcase the intricate transformations from robots to vehicles or other forms.
According to Bensch, the continual release of new Transformers characters keeps collectors engaged, but their popularity also stems from their compatibility with children’s play patterns, stimulating imagination and fantasy.
Anyone has the opportunity to nominate toys for the Hall of Fame, with museum staff selecting 12 finalists each year. Fans can vote online for their top choices, and these votes are combined with results from a national advisory committee comprising historians, educators, and industry experts.