Kefka isn't even that popular in Japan, I don't think. (And not being the protagonist typically rules you out as being more likely than the protagonist, barring exceptions like... say, uh, Diablo? That's the best I've got.)
🏳️⚧️she/her | Vio Rhyse AlberiaThose are all the main characters of entire franchises, though. You'd probably have people in Japan going "ugh but {x} is more popular than Kefka" or something. America too, actually. When it comes to Squeenix I usually see Slime or Black Mage requested more often so, if they WERE to pick someone based on what the Western fanbase wants...
🏳️⚧️she/her | Vio Rhyse AlberiaOr, they could use them to represent Dragon Quest as a whole. Rocket Slime gave us some good ideas for what else a slime can do, and there are many types of slimes it can derive moves from.
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"We have a new fighter coming! But he'll be an Assist Trophy. One I know you've all been clamoring for..."
[Cue to a silhouette of Isaac. When it comes to color it turns out to be a slime! That morphs into the more traditional slime shape.]
"Yes, the Slime from the Dragon Quest series will be assisting in the battle!"
edited 6th Nov '15 10:31:15 AM by Rivux
mario is red, i am green, i try my best, but everyone's meanWhile I'm still of the opinion that Level 5 will get someone (Jibanyan) before Square, Snake and Ryu show that Nintendo doesn't care too much about how much they're currently with Nintendo as long as there's some history. A post FFVI character is unlikely, but otherwise any notable characters from Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest are fair game.
With Final Fantasy Explorers around the corner, does that make it Cloud's first appearance on a Nintendo console?
I've heard Cloud's first appearance proper on a Nintendo console was Kingdom Hearts: Re:Coded, but beyond that there's also Theatrhythm Final Fantasy.
I feel like there's other examples I'm missing but that's all I can think of.
🏳️⚧️she/her | Vio Rhyse Alberia

I'm lookin' it up to ease the nagging feeling in my head that it's Disney.
As far as I can see, Disney's got the copyrights to the series and anything that wasn't already a Square Enix property.
At the very least, they seem to own the first three games.
And then there's this tidbit from the KH Ultimania.
mario is red, i am green, i try my best, but everyone's mean