Superhero games...

[WayneLigon]

Right now, Mutants and Masterminds is where it's at for me. The Second Edition just went to the printers I think, so I'll see what things are like when I get my hands on it. From what I've seen, the probability is high that I will stick with it.

Others: Truth and Justice, and Living Legends (the new Villians and Vigilantes) are both available from RPGNow. I bought them the other day and I'm still looking through them. Capes (An ENnie award nominee, I think) might also be something to look at.

I played Champions for years and years. I was very satisfied to see a new edition and the company/brand return, but I've gotten away from playing it in recent years.

 

[PJ-Mason]

Blood of Heroes can still be bought at Amazon.com and such places new. Your game store might have it if they don't clean their shelves off with great regularity. Its born from the old DC Heroes game (by mayfair, not the recent WEG suck job) that is the best superhero game i've ever played...and i've played like 25 of them over the last 20 years.

Champions allows you a great level of detail and customization, but also requires a like amount of effort to play and maintenance your characters. There is a huge community to draw from as well.

M&M is a good middle ground for ease of play and customization. If your just gettin into it, its the perfect time with 2E coming out soon. Although if you have been in on M&M since the beginning, having to buy the corebook, then a revised core book, and now a second edition core book in like 2 years, well you might have soured a bit on the line. :\

There is Blood & Vigilance if you are used to, and like, the D&D "a million and one classes", feats, prestige classes, etc. They put a lot of work into it and if you like D&D, you'll like Blood & Vigilance.

 

[NewLifeForm]

This looks like a job for...

Mutants & Masterminds!

Having played and run just about every superhero rpg ever made, I'd go with M&M. The flexibility rivals Champions, but it won't cause the mathematical brain meltdowns normally associated with The Big C.

NewLifeForm
Strange Visitor

 

[Eccles]

I'll echo the Blood of Heroes (DC Heroes as was) as an excellent game.

You can borrow my copy as and when Russ remembers to bring the thing back! (hint, hint)...

 

[TroyXavier]

I own most of them. M and M is great. Champions isn't bad but really bogs down in combat(though it's still better than Heroes Unlimited in that case). Blood of Heroes looks interesting. Aberrant is better White Wolf than D20. Four Color Fantasy is interesting but I've never had a c hance to run it.

 

[Tinner]

If you can find it, check out TSR's Marvel Super Heros RPG from the 1980's.
It's very rules-lite and will get you clobberin' bad guys in no time at all.
You might even be able to find copies of this available for free online IIRC.
In fact ... here you go.

http://www.heroplay.com/features/rules/marvel.php

It's far from the best system ever, but it does the job and keeps it fast, furious and fun.
YMMV.

 

[sniffles]

I like Champions/Hero System quite a lot, although I will admit it's a bit complex and combat is very slow. But it's endlessly customizable.

I enjoyed Mutants & Masterminds, but found it frustrating to have no damage rolls. It's just not as much fun for me unless I can see what a mess I made by blasting the supervillain through that concrete wall.

If you want something ultra-light that will let you be very cinematic, try this:
http://www222.pair.com/sjohn/risus.htm
Risus The Anything RPG. You can create a character in five minutes, and do anything that you want - but there are no skills, and no really effective method for increases. It also requires the GM and players to be both articulate and really on the same wavelength, IMHO.

 

[Jack of Shadows]

Rated from most favorite to least favorite:

Mutants and Masterminds - Great support, fast play and all the elements.

Silver Age Sentinels - Almost as good as M&M but the support isn't as robust.

Champions - Great character creation but combats take much too long.

Living Legends - Haven't even managed to read this yet but it's FREAKIN' JEFF DEE, man!

Jack

 

[Endur]

I like Champions.

If you just want to do a fist -fight, you can use the Marvel or DC minis games.

 

[Kanegrundar]

Here's another vote for M&M. For me, it's the best supers game on the market. Plus, the supplements are great (especially Freedom City, Annual #1, and Crooks).

Kane