What animal was Crash Bandicoot originally supposed to be?

What animal was Crash Bandicoot originally supposed to be?
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The mark of a great home video game system is a great mascot — Mario and Sonic proved just how important a mascot is during the Console Wars, and Sony knew this was the case when they were gearing up to launch the PlayStation.

Developers working on the platformer that was set to be the PS1's answer to hedgehogs and plumbers knew there was a lot on the line. So, naturally, they went with the beloved and well-known, uh, bandicoot — which anyone who lives outside of Australia has never heard of. Makes sense.

Yet Crash almost wasn't even that particular obscure animal, but instead this one...

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