I’ll start by admitting that a My Little Pony board game isn’t exactly my cup tea. But at the same time it is a bit of a classic for all My Little Pony fans. When I found a copy of My Little Pony Dream Castle Game in a charity shop for just a couple of quid I decided that I needed to at least try the game out. Before trying to flip it into a profit by selling it to some real MLP fans online!
Aimed at ages 4 and up the game really is incredibly simple, especially when you consider that some children that young probably can’t read or count yet.
The aim of the game is to be the first player to read the Dream Castle. Rather than have dice, players instead pick up cards which tell them how to move on the board. This is sone by showing coloured horseshoes with coordinate with ones on the board. If you turn over a card with one on you move your counter to the next horseshoe of that colour on the board. If you turn over a card with a pony on it then you move your counter to that pony on the board – regardless of whether that is infant of you or behind you.
There’s a bit in the game where if you land on a space with a flag on it you have to wait there until you next draw a card of the corresponding colour to move on. I guess this is a bit like missing a turn, or having to roll a certain number on a die before you are able to move on.
Published by MB Games in 1985 this really is a simple game, but perfect for all My Little Pony fans out there. As a child in the 80s I would have quite literally killed for a game like this. As a grown up in her 40s I can now take it or leave it, but at the same time I can also see why it would still appeal to My Little Pony collectors of all ages. One of the really nice bits of the game ate the pony playing pieces. The version I picked up was complete and I have to admit that the ponies themselves are incredibly cute. If you’re into that kind of thing!
For MB this would have been a sure fire winner, and you can see why they were always the company that seemed to jump quickly to come up with games to fit in with so many different toys and TV programmes. There’s a huge commercial advantage in having a fan base already for your games.
My Little Pony Dream Castle Game was published by MB Games in 1985. Designed for 2 – 4 players it has a recommended playing age of 4+.
If you’re interested in vintage board games then why not head over to Facebook and join our new vintage board games group.
For more vintage board games and toys here on Penny Plays take a look here.
