I agree totally. I own probably 14 "Alt-Coins" other than Bitcoin & Litecoin. Ive been keeping up with the 'crypto currency market' long enough to honestly understand as much as anyone (who dosent have an inside track or inside information)... I bought BTC when it was under 3 figures and Litecoin when it was only 'change' under a dollar by far. So I wasnt one who got Bitcoin for pennies but i've been seeing and studying the market, the new 'alt-coins' as they were being developed...
NxT is a crypto currency that is so extremely unique I dont even consider it an 'Alt Coin'... To me its the "Second" Crypto Currency to Bitcoin. Im not sure about how open sourced it is (the code was just released Jan 3rd 2014), but NxT could have 'Alt Coins' based off of its code from what I understand... But it may not allow it in its open source code.
Regardless; Litecoin is regarded as the silver to Bitcoin Gold. Yet; I see a very interesting dynamic now with the "Second" 100% Unique Crypto Currency developed now... and its under $.10 !!! What a deal, ten cents for the second crypto currency to bitcoin. I mean the first is almost a thousand dollars... Ive been snatching them up as quickly as I can.
This isnt even taking into account all of its features such as "Colored Coins" and more... check out the NxT Primer PDF: https://www.dropbox.com/s/fcqpya8dhiyg9fq/NXT%20-%20A%20Cybernetics%20Perspective%20V%200.1.pdf