I grew up with G3 and I don’t remember how exactly I stumbled onto G1 ponies, but I actually didn’t like them at first! I really don’t know WHY since they aren’t all that different from G3 in hindsight, but I guess they were just different enough that it seemed wrong to me. Then I stumbled onto the G1 baby ponies and Aikarin’s custom ponies and got converted pretty quick. I also remember finding the G1 cartoons at Toys r Us on DVD and loving the cartoons! Even though the animation was a lil janky, I remember being excited by the more intense story lines compared to G3.
Me too. I have a few G3 toys at that point, then I saw G1 show on TV. I thought it was weird and kind of ugly, but the story of cute little ponies and 3 human children fighting against the dark forces/evil witches and winning with wit, and co-operation, rather than superior powers won me over easily. Galaxy and Fizzy were my favourite.
G3 and G1 ponies look similair enough for young me to underdtand, "Oh, they modernize the design.", but for the longest time, I didn't realize G2 is the same My Little Pony. I thought G2 was My Little Pony Tales. Even, I played the heck out of Friendship Garden.