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Generation Three refers to the third generation of My Little Ponies. It spanned between 2003 and 2009 officially, although exclusive G3 ponies were still released well into 2011.
Types of G3 Toys
BRUSHABLES
G3 Brushables were a little shorter than G1s. They were well-liked because they resembled G1s in a way G2 did not, but still had their own unique flare, adding a more "modern" look while still retaining clear influence from the originals. G3 Brushables were usually sold in individual packs, split into different series or sets based on different themes, similar to G1. The packaging for G3 brushables is nearly identical across all series/sets.
Notes:
G3 introduced having the cutie mark on only one side of the pony, and therefore “display sides” (if you don’t count Petite Ponies as doing it first).
G3 ponies all have either a magnet under one hoof, or a hole indented in it. This was so that they could interact with the playsets, which used magnets or little pegs to keep the ponies attached. The hole feature was used in G4 sometimes, but the magnet feature is unique to G3.
G3 ponies have hearts on one hoof. At first this heart was always on the display side, but part way through the first year (2003) this was changed. The heart is over whichever hoof has a magnet or hole.
G3 only had earth ponies until 2005, when pegasi were introduced. Unicorns were introduced in 2006. G3 has a very high earth pony ratio, with not many other pony species present in the toy line.
Image source: Pinterest
Image source: Pinterest
Mail Order Ponies
Like G1, G3 had a mail order program, where people could purchase ponies, including special exclusive mail order only ponies. This program did not stay for the duration of the toyline, ending in January of 2006.
Collector's Edition Ponies
After the G3 toy line officially ended in 2010, to make way for G4, some G3 ponies were still sold, all the way into 2011. This included Collectors Edition Ponies that were marketed towards older fans/collectors, called “Art Ponies” which had more unique, artsy designs. Some Art Ponies were released in stores, while others had exclusive releases at Conventions, like SDCC. These ponies were in the style of regular G3s, not G3.5s.
PONYVILLE
The Ponyville toys were fully-plastic molded minifigures, in a more cartoony and chibi-like style (Closer to g3.5 and G4 than to previous generations - Possibly a precursor to or inspiration for them). Later releases of the Ponyville Figurines gave them removable hair, so you could swap the ponies hair as if they wore wigs. Ponyville ponies typically came with way more accessories than regular G3s. These ponies also have the little hearts on their hooves, like mainline G3s.
Image source: Etsy
HAPPY MEALS
G3 had a few Happy Meal toy releases. The most well-known were small figures with molded tails and brushable manes, and a slightly different style to them. They did have a couple of Happy Meal releases with fully brushable manes and tails, though the ponies were still smaller and stylized differently from the main line. There were also Australia-exclusive keychain plush Happy Meal toys. Ponyville also had their own unique Happy Meal toys.
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TINY TINS
Tiny tin ponies were especially small minifigures made of metal, which had jointed, adjustable heads. They were sold with decorative metal tins, or “houses”. They were released right at the start of the toy line, from 2003-2004. These ponies also have the little hearts on their hooves, like mainline G3s.
Image source: My Little Pony Trading Forum
PLUSH
G3 had quite a few plush releases, some of which were made by manufacturers that weren’t Hasbro, who Hasbro licensed MLP out too.
The primary type of G3 plushies were the yarn hair plushies, which were first released in 2005. Most G3 plushies are this type - There are over 40 G3 yarn hair plushie releases! These plushies were produced by Hasbro, as far as I know.
For an overview of different G3 plush types, both Strawberry Reef and My Little Wiki have sections on it!
Image source: Tumblr
OTHER G3 MERCHENDICE
G3 released plenty of additional merchandise, including puzzles, books, bedding, craft supplies & school supplies, and for some reason a lot of hygiene products (like bubble bath soaps and toothbrush holders).
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