In the world of indie game development, fan-made projects often reflect the passion and creativity of a dedicated community. Among these, MLP Fighting is Magic stands out as a cult classic. Developed by fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, this 2D fighting game drew widespread attention for its impressive mechanics, detailed animations, and unique twist—putting ponies in a competitive fighting arena. While the game never saw an official release due to legal issues, its legacy remains strong, influencing other projects and leaving a lasting mark on both the MLP fandom and the fighting game community.
Table of Contents
What Is MLP Fighting is Magic?
MLP Fighting is Magic is a fan-developed 2D fighting game inspired by the popular TV series My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. Created by a team of enthusiasts called Mane6, the game was designed to mimic the style of professional fighting games like Street Fighter and Marvel vs. Capcom, but with characters from the My Little Pony universe.
Unlike the cute and whimsical tone of the TV show, Fighting is Magic brought a fast-paced, competitive edge to the beloved ponies. Each character was given a unique fighting style, combo system, and set of special moves that aligned with their personalities and abilities from the show.
Features of MLP Fighting is Magic
1. 2D Fighting Mechanics
- Light, medium, and heavy attacks
- Chain combos and juggling
- Special and super abilities
- Competitive balance and fluid control
2. Character Accuracy
Each pony was given move sets and abilities matching their show personality—Twilight Sparkle had magical zoning attacks, while Rainbow Dash focused on aerial speed and mobility.
3. Pixel Art and Animation
Despite being a fan project, the game’s visuals were impressively smooth and colorful, capturing the spirit of Equestria in vibrant detail.
4. Competitive Gameplay
The developers aimed to create a balanced, competitive fighter that could be enjoyed casually or taken seriously by the fighting game community.
Main Playable Characters
Twilight Sparkle
A well-balanced magic user with teleportation and zoning spells.
Applejack
A heavy-hitting grappler who uses brute strength and lasso attacks.
Rainbow Dash
A fast, agile fighter with aerial dash combos and mobility-based attacks.
Rarity
A technical, trap-based character using gem mechanics for setups.
Pinkie Pie
An unpredictable, chaotic fighter with zany moves and surprise effects.
Fluttershy
A unique concept that involved summoning animals and avoiding direct combat (concept not fully implemented in the alpha build).
The Development Journey
The project began in 2011, gaining massive attention through early trailers, dev blogs, and demo showcases. The Mane6 team quickly grew a large fanbase that followed every update with excitement.
The Mane6 Team
Named after the six main ponies from the show, Mane6 consisted of passionate developers, artists, and designers. They operated without pay, driven entirely by love for the show and fighting games.
The Legal Shutdown by Hasbro
In early 2013, Hasbro issued a cease and desist order against the Mane6 team, requiring them to stop development due to unauthorized use of copyrighted material.
Why Did It Get Shut Down?
Although non-commercial, the use of Hasbro’s characters and brand still violated copyright laws. As a corporation, Hasbro was obligated to protect its intellectual property.
Community Reaction
Fans were outraged and saddened. Petitions were signed, forums lit up with debates, and the project’s takedown became one of the most discussed moments in fan gaming history.
The Spiritual Successor: Them’s Fightin’ Herds
Despite the legal setback, the project didn’t die. Thanks to support from Lab Zero Games (creators of Skullgirls), Mane6 received a professional fighting game engine (Z-Engine) to build a new game with original characters.
Lauren Faust’s Involvement
The original creator of MLP:FiM, Lauren Faust, stepped in to help design new characters, each with their own lore and moves.
Launch of Them’s Fightin’ Herds
- Released on Steam in 2020
- Features rollback netcode for smooth online play
- Includes story mode and a full roster of original quadruped characters
- Supported with DLC and competitive updates
Can You Still Play MLP Fighting is Magic?
A leaked alpha build exists, but:
- It’s unfinished and only includes a few characters and stages
- It may pose security risks when downloaded from unofficial sources
- It’s legally gray, as it uses Hasbro’s intellectual property
For safety and legality, it’s better to play Them’s Fightin’ Herds, the officially released successor.
The Legacy of MLP Fighting is Magic
Even though it never saw an official release, the project:
- Inspired countless fan developers
- Created a tight-knit community of artists, modders, and players
- Showed what fan passion and skill could achieve
- Transformed into an original, critically acclaimed indie title
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Is MLP Fighting is Magic still available?
Answer: The original version was shut down by Hasbro and never officially released. However, an unfinished alpha build was leaked online. It’s not recommended to download it from unknown sources due to potential risks.
Q2: Why was Fighting is Magic shut down?
Answer: Hasbro issued a cease-and-desist because the game used copyrighted MLP characters without permission, which violated intellectual property laws—even though it was a free fan game.
Q3: What is the official version of the game now?
Answer: The game evolved into Them’s Fightin’ Herds, an original indie fighting game featuring new animal characters, built by the same team (Mane6) with help from Lauren Faust.
Q4: Is Them’s Fightin’ Herds related to MLP?
Answer: While it no longer uses My Little Pony IP, it retains the artistic style and spirit of Fighting is Magic. Lauren Faust designed the characters, giving it a similar feel without legal conflicts.
Q5: Can I play Them’s Fightin’ Herds on PC?
Answer: Yes! Them’s Fightin’ Herds is available on Steam, and it supports online play, local multiplayer, and training modes. It runs on most modern Windows PCs.
Q6: Will Fighting is Magic ever be completed?
Answer: The original game will likely never be completed due to copyright issues. However, its essence and vision live on through Them’s Fightin’ Herds, which continues to receive updates.
Final Thoughts
MLP Fighting is Magic was a groundbreaking fan project that proved the power of creativity and community. Although legal issues stopped the game in its tracks, its impact shaped future indie fighters and inspired Them’s Fightin’ Herds, a game that carries the same heart with original characters and professional polish.
For gamers and MLP fans alike, this story serves as a tribute to fandom, resilience, and innovation in the face of setbacks. Whether you’re in it for nostalgia or looking for a new competitive fighter, the legacy of MLP Fighting is Magic still shines bright.
✅ Support the developers and experience the game legally by purchasing it through the official stores.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. We do not support or promote the use or distribution of unofficial or pirated versions of any game. Please support the developers by purchasing games through legal and official platforms.
