Which famous gaming mascot was originally designed as a placeholder character during development but was kept because the development team found it easier to build gameplay around?

Character mascots have played a crucial role in gaming brand identity since the industry's early days. These iconic figures often become more recognizable than the companies themselves, driving marketing campaigns and creating emotional connections with players. Test your knowledge of gaming mascot history with this challenging question about one of the industry's most significant character design decisions.

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Kirby (Nintendo)
Crash Bandicoot (Naughty Dog/Sony)
Sonic the Hedgehog (Sega)
Master Chief (Microsoft/Bungie)