For a beginner, choosing a base can be a little bit confusing because there are surprisingly so many of them. It would be a good idea to showcase all the bases that are available with profile pictures, descriptions and reviews. Well, since I don't own every single base ever made and my interest into non-subbuteo bases is limited, focus is given to Subbuteo-branded bases and figures.
To make things interesting and maybe controversial, each base is judged for its long range sliding, touch and chipping. Because most bases are good with short range sliding, it is not addressed. Long range sliding refers to sliding from one shooting line to the other. The touch refers to how the base touches the ball. Ideally, you want a base whose impact on the ball is minimum. Chipping refers to the ability of lifting the ball when shooting. It is an absolute must if you want to score some goals.
Subbuteo Heavy Weight (HW) Base
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Player is attached to the base via a bar. It is a two-piece base but the two parts are glued. Some heavy weights came in one piece (base and figure), they are called "moulded". Experts say that moulded hws are the best to play with. There is a small washer inside the base. Although mass-produced in the 60s and 70s by Subbuteo and Co, teams are not too easy find on the cheap because heavy weights are heavily collected.
All in all, this base is not too bad but chipping is difficut to achieve (well, et least for most people). It is quite doable if you are right behind the ball and do a high follow through when you shoot. It is a tad easier than with the light weights though. The other problem is the long range sliding since it has a tendency to wobble. You have to be very gentle when you flick the distance. The touch is a little shaky so you have to cut the ball quite a bit if you don't want to give the ball away too easily. It is not a bad base for a beginner because you can defend real well with it. As an added benefit, it can curl like crazy.
Note that not all Subbuteo heavy weights are created equal. The outers are often not very suitable for playing because of advanced age. Zeugo teams which are HW replicas are often preferred by retro players because they play better. Actually, the figurine shown in the picture above is a Zeugo, eheh.
Subbuteo Light Weight (LW) Base
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Player is attached to the base via a cylindrical peg. It is a two-piece base that can be disassembled. There is a small washer inside the base that kinda clunks when you hit something (kinda neat but not all like it). Mass-produced in the 80s and 90s by Subbuteo and Co, light weight teams are still widely available for cheap.
All in all, this base is not too bad but chipping is really difficut to achieve. It is doable if you are right behind the ball and do a high follow through when you shoot. Forget about chipping when you are away from the ball. The other problem is the long range sliding since it has a tendency to wobble. You have to be very gentle when you flick the distance. It is not a bad base for a beginner because you can defend real well with it. As an added benefit, it can curl like crazy.
To compare with the hws, it is a lighter (as the name implies, eheh) base so better touch but worse chipping.
Subbuteo 2003 Parodi
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Player is attached to the base via a cylindrical peg. It is a two-piece base (can be disassembled). Base production taken care by Edilio Parodi, the Italian distributor, hence the name.
This base does it all, not super well, but it is quite the base. You can chip if you hit the base with force, heavy weight or light weight style. Chipping from a distance is however not too easy. It is not a super stable base but it is better than any retro base (in my opinion). Curling can be accomplished although it is quite unpredictable. Good touch thanks to the bevel. It is in my opinion the base of choice for purist beginners that insist on using Subbuteo bases.
Hasbro Solid Base
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Player is attached to the base via a cylindrical peg. It is a solid base. Mass-produced in the late 90s by Hasbro and Co so it is still widely available for cheap.
This base is pretty much the opposite of the LW base. It is solid and quite heavy (compared to the LW). All in all, this base is not bad at all. The only big problem is ball touch. You really want to hit the ball on its side to limit ball movement when you make contact. Long range sliding is pretty good. Shooting is fantastic. It is a pretty good base for a beginner that just wants to play and score some nice goals.