Third edition is still reasonably recognisable and while Miniatures help they are not necessary. Fourth is really different, and personally I don’t like it.
I’ve been playing since before AD&D first came out - and a lots changed, but I do think the spirit is still there. Given absolute freedom of choice, I’ll play original AD&D, but currently I play and run 3.5 because that’s where most of the action is - that and Pathfinder.
AD&D 1st/Basic is me too. I don’t think I ever have ever even seen the original white box. Still play occasionally. Have you checked out the ‘old school renaissance?’ Holy cow what is old is new again. I take it they use some type of free license to reproduce the old rules. Then they put out their own stuff for free or sell it. I guess it would be like if monopoly radically changed its rules but some still liked the old way and players supported that rule set.
As far as the later editions its what ever trips your trigger, I have no first hand experience with it. Sounded pretty far removed to me I guess.
Freegards