haha it is kind of like using armorall once on a dashboard-- greasy forever. started thinking maybe it was revised to the less black with the release of the cdz?
Not sure when each color variant was introduced but I know there are at least two different boxes they came in, one has a green top and the other a silver top. Also, the super rare hotel units have two tone controllers with the main case body being a medium gray color and the palm rest black, they also have 1P(red) and 2P(blue) markings on them.
AES sticks are the same way.
I have two that have the American look. Shinier with a bit of a purple hue to the buttons and balltop.
I have one that is more matte with a more black color to the buttons and balltop. I assume thats the Japanese stick