Which gaming mascot was originally created as a placeholder character during development but became so popular that they replaced the company's official mascot?

Brand mascots in the gaming industry have evolved dramatically over the decades, becoming cultural icons that transcend their original games. These characters often drive merchandise sales, cross-media adaptations, and build lasting emotional connections with players. How well do you know the history behind the mascots that defined gaming companies? Test your knowledge about one particularly significant character transformation that changed gaming history!

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Mario (originally called 'Jumpman') replaced Donkey Kong as Nintendo's primary mascot
Sonic the Hedgehog replaced Alex Kidd as Sega's official mascot
Master Chief replaced Blinx the Time Sweeper as Xbox's mascot
Crash Bandicoot replaced Polygon Man as PlayStation's mascot