I first saw episodes 4-6 on VHS tape back when the original 3 movies were the only ones that existed.
In that context, Empire Strikes Back always seemed like the most solid movie out of the original 3, if you were to watch just one of them in isolation. (Return of the Jedi just had a few too many gay little aliens and I always felt that cheapened it slightly.)
But now that we have the whole story arc of Anakin's descent from sweet little boy into evil henchman, and his eventual redemptive act of love for Luke right at the end, I finally "get" how epic return of the Jedi truly is, and how big the feels at the end of it really are.
NGL this boomercel loved seeing Yoda at the height of his powers in attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. As a kiwicel it was an unexpected kick seeing Jake the Muss as Jango Fett also...