you're right, i think it maybe boils down to the same principle as with bands and movies or whatever, things are always best and at their pinnacle right around the time that you discover that thing. those basic d&d rules were what i was first exposed to, even though other systems existed obviously.  i imagine we can all be dated by our favorites. because of when i started rping my top 3 pen and paper rpgs are 2e, the rules cyclopedia, and teenage mutant ninja turtles & other strangeness.
Gadsden