Which video game mascot was originally designed as a placeholder character but became so popular that the company adopted it as their official brand representative?

In the competitive world of gaming, mascots often become the face of major brands, driving recognition and customer loyalty. These iconic characters can significantly impact a company's branding strategy and market position. This trivia question explores the fascinating history behind one of gaming's most recognizable mascots and how a simple character design decision transformed a company's fortunes. Test your knowledge of gaming brand history!

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Kirby (Nintendo) - originally a simple white blob placeholder before receiving his pink coloration
Crash Bandicoot (Naughty Dog) - initially designed as a temporary test model for the PlayStation
Pac-Man (Namco) - first created as a simplified test shape for arcade movement mechanics
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega) - started as a generic animal sprite before becoming Sega's flagship character