Banana Surprise
Banana Surprise was one of the earth ponies from the Sundae
Best Pony set. She was sold in 1988 in North America and in late
1988 into 1989 in the UK. Her name was the same in the UK
release as it was in North America.
Banana Surprise was also sold in European countries around the
same time as she was available in the UK. Some European
countries had her on American-style cards, such as the Benelux
countries, whilst others had her on European/UK style cards,
translated. The main difference (aside minor card design) was
that those sold in North America/Benelux had a hair clip, whilst
those sold in the UK and other parts of Europe did not.
Banana Surprise could be made in China or in Hong Kong. The pony
pictured at the top of the page is made in China and was found at
a UK carboot sale in the late 1990s. The one pictured below was
originally sold in North America and is made in Hong Kong.
Banana Surprise Made in Hong Kong
(Bought from North America)
The Hong Kong versions are more often sold in the North
American/with-a-clip release, whilst Chinese ones are easier to
find in the UK and I imagine on the continent.
Banana Surprise's Character
The Sundae Best Ponies were not introduced en masse but in bits
and pieces, with Banana Surprise not making her debut until Floater went
exploring and met up with her on Ice Cream Island.
Apparently her banana ice cream sundae tasted like bananas and
ice cream. How surprising.
Banana Surprise and Floater
UK My Little Pony Comic, 1988
The story also gave her the distinction of mending a torn cloud
with a giant banana sundae, and blowing bubbles into a giant
Bubble Wizard - which should tell you all you need to know about
her standard of cooking ^_^. Clearly a pony who should not be
let out alone.
Banana Surprise bubble-blows a Bubble Wizard
My Little Pony & Friends Comic, 1989
