to be honest, you two guys have the 3rd edition, since there were already 2 editions back in the 80s
Was there...? I never realised that.
Is there much details anywhere on when they were originally given out...?
there were even 3 versions in the 80s. They sold about 1 million pcs. the 2nd one (pro) was deticated to the pce since it had a I・II・SELECT・RUN button layout (thats the one I have as an original).
couldn't find exact dates of releases.
so there were different replikas for the 2006, 2007 & 2008 tournaments made (they also including the mkII pce overlay as an additional sticker), and all made in china (the originals were made in japan).
there were also other form factors made over the years just as the famicom pad, super famicom pad etc. but they are seeming to be much less attractive. FC pad was cool tho.
and then there were the mini shuwotchi (capsule shuwotchi) from the gashapons by yujin, came in i believe 3 different styles (original, fc, and star soldier).
the additional games can be unlocked by resching 62 (cycle game) resp. 160 (slot game) pushes ( ->the legenday score by TM).