DVD Review: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Games Ponies Play

Good news, Bronies and Pegasisters! Shout! Factory is releasing a new My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic DVD, Games Ponies Play, which includes six episodes of the series. Each of the episodes deals in one way or another with competition and teamwork. So join Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Spike and, of course, Pinkie Pie (my favorite character) in six adventures.

“Fall Weather Friends”

In this first season episode, Rainbow Dash loses a game of horseshoes to Applejack, and of course has trouble accepting defeat, and so challenges Applejack to an athletic competition. Twilight Sparkle is recruited as judge, and Spike volunteers to be the announcer. (Though he does say it’s the “first annual Iron Pony competition,” which is incorrect: something is not an annual event until it happens the second time.) Applejack reminds Rainbow Dash that it’s all in good fun, but becomes just as competitive, and accuses Rainbow Dash of cheating, leading to another challenge. And this time Pinkie Pie works as the announcer, and as usual provides most of the episode’s comedy, like when she randomly mentions fudge or when she judges distance by noses or fractions of noses. Twilight Sparkle says, “Remember, Rainbow, this is just a game.” A good lesson for adults as well as children to keep in mind.

“Games Ponies Play”

Princess Cadence wants the ponies to work as the welcome committee to help convince the games inspector to let the Crystal Empire host this year’s Equestria Games. But the gang accidentally welcomes the wrong pony. Pinkie Pie gives her a tour of the castle: “Round is round, am I right?” When asked a question to which she doesn’t have the answer, Pinkie Pie tries to distract her with a goofy dance (that usually works for me). Later she tries to solve everything by offering a cinnamon bun. Meanwhile Rarity has trouble with Princess Cadence’s hair style, and is completely hilarious when freaking out. This episode aired in the third season.

“Power Ponies”

This fourth season episode is my personal favorite from this DVD, and one of the best episodes of the series. Spike recounts the exciting story of a comic book to Twilight the night before they’re supposed to fix up an old castle. The next day, Spike feels a bit left out, as the ponies don’t seem to need his help, and there’s a wonderful running joke equating Spike with Humdrum, an ineffectual sidekick character in the comic book. But then Spike is magically sucked into the comic book, along with the ponies, who try to help pull Spike out. All are sucked in, except Pinkie Pie, who willfully, gleefully jumps in, a moment that made me burst out laughing. (Have I mentioned that Pinkie Pie is my favorite character?) The ponies enter an alternate reality where they take on the identities of the power ponies from the comic book. Pinkie Pie and Rarity are particularly funny in how they choose to use their new super powers. This is a totally delightful episode.

“Equestria Games”

Also from the fourth season, “Equestria Games” finds the ponies going to compete. And Spike is treated like a hero because of his earlier exploits. He is asked to light the torch at the opening ceremony, but nerves get the best of him. Poor Mr. The Dragon. This episode also has a humorous moment regarding security measures. This is the only episode on the DVD to include a musical number of sorts, and it’s one of the funniest moments of the episode.

“Appleoosa’s Most Wanted”

In this fifth season episode, Applejack is competing in the Appleoosa Rodeo, and the young ponies are hoping to get their cutie marks. Meanwhile, the sheriff is after a mysterious outlaw named Trouble Shoes. There’s a nice little joke involving a harmonica. And the young ponies go looking for Trouble Shoes, who is voiced by Jim Miller.

“The Lost Treasure Of Griffonstone”

This fifth season episode opens with Pinkie Pie, so right away it’s a good one. Her pet alligator is hilarious in his complete silence, working in great contrast to the energetic Pinkie Pie. Pinkie Pie’s cutie mark summons her to Griffonstone, along with Rainbow Dash. Twilight Sparkle clearly wants to tag along, as she’s researched the kingdom and learned that it’s supposed to be the most majestic in all the land. But when Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash arrive, they discover that it’s fallen on hard times, leading Rainbow Dash to comment, “Maybe the map should have called Rarity instead of us.” And soon they learn the sad tale of the loss of the griffons’ treasure. This is a really good episode.

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: “Games Ponies Play” is scheduled to be released on September 29, 2015 through Shout! Factory. The DVD contains no special features.