I gotta be honest -
New Century was more entertaining in a lot of ways. They went whole hog into the sport aspect and really sold it, and there were plenty of nice-looking chicks (
Naomi Fluegel, anyone? She was a skilled pilot, too).
Chaotic Century had its good moments, and it's true there's no substitute for the thrill of actual life-and-death combat. Fun fact, the US anime aired
New Century first and then
Chaotic Century, so the contrast for us was even more telling.