hmmm.
I definitely vote for DC Heroes/Blood of Heroes as my time and tested Super hero rpg.
DC Heroes:
*It has a fast playable system and lets you play all ranges of supers. However, the lower level thugs/street hero playability is not "fuzzy", its just flat out bland!! Batman level is okay, but drop to Robin level and everyone starts looking the same(a small exaggaration, but not much). It has a point buy system, but is about average on the amount of both time consumption/brain damage and character control
*For me, it has the perfect mix of customization and playability, plus the right amount of "pick-up-dice-an-play" factor
Champions. Speaking as a Champions ex-patriot (4 years, hard time served, baby):
*It is MATH INTENSIVE!!! Say all you want about spreadsheets and "once you get the system down" malarky and represent!! However thats not necessarily a negative. It allows for an almost freakish control of your character's abilities and allows you to micromanage your hero. Thats its greatest strength and its greatest weakness. You can't really pick up and play near as easy as most hero games and the combats CAN become as boggled as any intense AOO log jams as seen in 3E D&D. It requires a lot maintenance, for players AND GMs. But for customization and ability to model your campaign to your tastes, nothing touches Champions. flat out. Beware this double edged sword.
Heroes Unlimited:
*This was my first supers rpg and it holds a warm spot in me heart!! Its also a pale, Bizarro version of what the D20 game system is becoming. If only Palladium could get off its high horse, i think they could score big with D20 Heroes Unlimited. But what do i know, eh?
Marvel Saga:
*This is the perfect pick-up-and-play super heroes. Think Magic the Gathering, for a representation of its quick access. However it sacrifices WAY to much system intergrity or mechanics playability for my tastes. But a whole lot of people like it, so......
Aberrant:
*This game has a great setting, but the system fell apart between the dice pools, and terribly unbalanced power system. Half the powers were useless, have were more powerful than the rest. Offense was overstated and defense was not going out of your suite at the four seasons. Damn the WW system!! I was pissed!!
*i've succesfully used the setting in the DC Heroes system.
*Did i say it has a GREAT setting???
I've honestly played at least 15-20 other superhero games (try me) and thes are the only ones i can really plug and keep a straight face.
Later