Which gaming mascot was originally created as a placeholder character during development but became so popular that the developers kept them as the main protagonist?

Gaming mascots have shaped industry marketing for decades, becoming iconic symbols that transcend their games. These characters often drive billion-dollar franchises and influence gaming culture worldwide. Test your knowledge about the strategic marketing decisions behind some of gaming's most recognizable virtual personalities and how they've evolved to build powerful brand identities in the competitive gaming landscape.

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Kirby from Nintendo's Kirby series
Master Chief from Microsoft's Halo franchise
Crash Bandicoot from Sony's original PlayStation era
Pikachu from the Pokémon franchise