My Little Pony finally made it into the winner's circle.
After years of absence, the pastel-colored ponies were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame on Tuesday along with Transformers action figures and the Phase 10 card game.
The honorees came out on top among 12 finalists voted on by a panel of experts and the public. This year's arena includes: party game Apples to Apples, balloons, “Choose Your Own Adventure” gamebook, Hayes toy truck, Pokémon trading card game, remote-controlled vehicles, sequences, stick horses and trampolines.
“These are three very worthy toys that demonstrate the wide range of ways people play,” Christopher Bensch, vice president and chief curator of the collection, said in a statement. “But especially for My Little Pony, this year is one of added validation. The beloved toy was a finalist seven times before finally crossing the finish line!”
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Hasbro's mini-horses, identified by distinct “cutie marks” on their haunches, were introduced in the 1980s and reintroduced in 2003, outselling Barbie for several years.
The collectibles grew in popularity over time, as well as being recognized for encouraging fantasy and storytelling – the kind of creative play Hall of Fame inductees demand.
Michelle Parnett-Dwyer, curator of dolls and toys, said, “The My Little Pony line has endured for decades because it combines many of the traditional forms of doll play with children's fascination with horses.” “The diversity of figures also promotes collecting as a pastime.”
transformer
Transformers arrived in the 1980s, when Hasbro purchased the rights to several existing Japanese toy lines featuring transforming robots. They were first marketed with a cartoon and have since been adapted into a series. live-action moviesSocial media sites allow debate over which figures should be essential, as well as demonstrating the sometimes complex process of manipulating them from a robot to a vehicle or other alternative form.
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Regular new Transformers characters keep collectors coming back, Bensch said, “but the toys are also popular because they are so adaptable to children's ways of playing. The toy line promotes children's imagination and imaginary play. “
Step 10
Step 10 was also included, which was introduced by the inventor and entrepreneur. ken johnson In 1982. Today, Mattel sells 2 million decks of card games annually in 30 countries and more than 20 languages. This makes it one of the best-selling card games in the world, according to the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, where the Toy Hall of Fame is located.
In the style of rummy, the game challenges players to collect groups of cards to complete 10 stages in sequential order before their opponents.
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Mirek Stoli, the museum's curator of board games and puzzles, said, “Whether played in its original form or in one of its variations, Step 10 has become an iconic game title that encourages multi-generational social and competitive play. “
Anyone can nominate any toy for the Hall of Fame. Museum staff narrow the field to 12 finalists each year. Fans can cast online votes for their favorites and their results are tallied with ballots from a national advisory committee of historians, educators and others with industry expertise.