G1 Vintage Vs Retro G1 Merchandise

[Draco]

How do you feel about the remakes/retro G1 pony merchandise coming out? Notebooks, cups, etc?

I like them, but I honestly have zero desire to purchase the newer merchandise just because they show G1 ponies on them (unless i've been gifted, then of course I would love it). I prefer the true vintage 80's stuff over the new. I have some Basic Fun ponies, and only keep them if they're in boxes, and only because I feel they're investable, not because I actually want them in my collection. They just don't feel special or nostalgic to me.

Am I the only one that does not get excited over the new merchandises but would go crazy over the 80's versions?

 

[StormMaeker]

I’m not that big on collecting merch. Perhaps I was more “I must get this because it’s for my collection” during my teen years with things but not as much anymore

With Basic Funs, they’re really nice ponies and I’ll get them if I can’t get the true original counterpart but originals have more appeal to me, they feel more authentic even though Basic Funs aren’t exactly fakes anyway. Also, their bodies are pretty hard. I like that older feel too. I’m not that big of a fan of the G3 Basic Funs though

I find the new G1 merch just feels like it’s got the same ponies plastered everywhere in the same pose, same few recolours and too clean and smooth looking. I think the clearness takes away the feelings of nostalgia, like turning an older film into HD

 

[rachelleigh]

Definitely agree! I feel like the new stuff is too polished for my liking.

 

[StormMaeker]

Definitely agree! I feel like the new stuff is too polished for my liking.

It probably doesn’t help the designs on the merch is digital and not hand-done

 

[Tak]

I’m a bit in between… we only collect blossom or heart throb merch. The new merch has more t-shirts, but the original merch is precious. (Someday the blossom bank will be on my shelf. )

 

[Draco]

I’m glad I’m not the only one that feels this way! And you guys are right, the modern art is too clean and digital. Maybe that’s why it doesn’t feel right or nostalgic

 

[minticat]

i have a handful of retro merch items– a loungefly backpack, some pins for my purse, shirts, more apparel-type stuff that i wear more than put on display. i would rather have vintage merchandise and ponies. that said, i think basic fun is doing a great job with their ponies, and if they put out something unique (upside down applejack, the upcoming celestial ponies) i'm all over it. retro-type merch is a great gateway into g1 for older fans reminiscing and younger fans who might want to know about the old stuff.

 

[Twinkle-eye]

I feel the same way. I love the retro stuff, but it does look very digital. I want to encourage it though, cos it makes me feel nostalgic. I mean to get some basic fun twinkle eye ponies just cos I love those guys!

 

[Gingerbread]

Original merch all the way!! ...but... I do enjoy the retro cause I will use it. For example, I have a dozen different plastic G1 cups /mugs but I wouldn't use them, however I have some retro cups/mugs I get to use all the time and I don't stress about if something were to happen to them. So even though I agree the artwork isn't as nice and nothing beats the original merch I do like retro things I can use cause then I get to actually use them. I am limited on pony space so original takes priority but I have gotten some BF if it were a special item (like Gingerbread) and if they do release the Celestial ponies I would get those but I'm much more choosy about the newer stuff.

 

[ReUnicorn (Heelys)]

I don't hate retro merch, but they do make the ponies look very cookie cutter and lifeless. I've also always found those G1-G3-G4 Mane 6 anniversary ponies... Kind of freaky looking. Like, the proportions are just off.

 

[Jellybean]

I'm also very choosy about the new stuff. So far I've only gotten Basic Funs Sweet Stuff and Gingerbread as they were both missing from my collection of originals because I can't ever find them without pony cancer, and the new ones scratched the itch of wanting to see them bright and clean looking. I've also bought a new pin as a memento of a nice time meeting up with a couple long-time pony collectors recently.
I just don't tend to go in for "merch" in general anymore, even though I often want to support a creator. In our home we have more coffee mugs, travel mugs, tote bags, t-shirts, lanyards, plushes, and notebooks than we know what to do with. Pins and stickers can often have a more refined "art collectible" feel so I'm probably most likely to get a pin or stickers out of all the usual things that get pony images put on them. But the only "stuff" I really like acquiring tends to be G1s and crafting supplies, lol. And I agree, gifts are special, so I wouldn't turn my nose up at a gift!

 

[ArchdevilAntidot]

I am unholy mad that Hasbro has original artwork in HQ, but licensed it to ungodly pricey brand and just puts these homunculi on affordable things instead.

But I still sort of want few things.

 

[Leave a Whisper]

I'd be delighted to buy new stuff. Unfortunately I almost never find it. And a lot of it is overseas and/or overpriced. I'm not paying $40+ for a shirt just because it's got ponez on it.

@ArchdevilAntidot My Little Homunculi is either the brand we never knew we needed, or it's the basis for equestria girls. XD

 

[ArchdevilAntidot]

My Little Homunculi is either the brand we never knew we needed, or it's the basis for equestria girls. XD

I just did not know how to express in one word how they look like G4 reshaped into G1 form XD Silent Hill of Hasbro's regrets.
The eye position on those few physical toys is still haunting me!