Super Smash Brothers - Geno was considered for both Brawl and Wii U/3DS Smash

Between this, the inception of the Smash Ballot, the fact that Takamaru nearly made it in, and the fact that even he thought six Fire Emblem reps were too many…

Yeah, I'd say that Sakurai cares about the fans more than everyone thinks.

Sakurai: hmm…I kinda want the next character to be Geno from SMRPG.
Square Enix: Okay, cool idea, but first, put Cloud in Smash bros.
Sakurai: But I only have time to make one character before I start working on the Smash ballot!
Square Enix: Cloud or bust. We can talk more about others after he's in.