Hang onto your hats, Bronies.

My Little Pony, the hippest kid's cartoon this side of Candyland has a side-scrolling fighting game in the works.

Yup, it's just like that old button masher Street Fighter, except instead of burly he-men in headbands, the combatants are cuddly wuddly high-hoofin Ponies like Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie and everyone's rootin' tootin' favourite Applejack.

For those of who don't have a five-year-old girl at home, let me fill you in on the second coming of My Little Pony. The cartoon with the theme song that was etched into so many brains in the 1980s has been rebooted. The new series is called My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. Ponyland is packed with colourful characters, each with their own talents and of course their "Cutie Mark" -- that' s the um, magic tattoo that appears on the ponie's patootie.

MLPFIM has hit that pop culture sweet spot. It's so cute your teeth will hurt just watching it, but it's that combination of smarts, sass and pop culture references (Doctor Whooves?) that have inspired a whole new generation of grown-up fans.

Meanwhile work on the My Little Pony Fighting is Magic game continues. The developers say they're doing it for the love, not money, in true pony fashion. Voice casting for the ponies is already underway and most surprisingly the toymaker Hasbro hasn't sued them to smithereens.

As for those who say the true spirit of Ponydom is hugs and kisses, not roundhouse kicks, the game developers have this bit of pony wisdom in their FAQ.

"Dear Princess Celestia.

Today I learned a valuable lesson.

Sometimes, your friends may be too stubborn to see the truth, but you can always beat some sense and friendship into them. Hard.

Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle

Our ponyologists are examining the veracity of this note from Twilight. In the meantime, the rest of us will be practicing our pony-fighting combos. The Applejack Cinnamon Crunch followed by the Rainbow Elbow of Love is said to be unstoppable.