First off, I actually cannot find any ~MUST HAVE~ games for the PS2 BESIDES The GTA3 games, Socom, and a couple others I cannot remember. Dont get me wrong, I love the GTA3 games, but they would be so much better on the Xbox. Here are my opinions.
Xbox looks better than a PS2 (the design of the ps2 is very unimaginative)
Memory for the PS2 is both expensive and you get little for your buck. (xbox has an 8 gb hdd)
Xbox has better graphics.
Xbox's DVD plan is actually much better than PS2's if you think about it. The average user for a PS2 would not buy the PS2's DVD remote, having them use their PS2 control pad to control the DVD. Here lies the "date factor." You should get what I mean.
Xbox's online plan is better thought out than Sony's was. By providing the users with a lag-free gateway to gameplay, players cannot be choked by narrow-band users. (listen, you're gonna have to get broadband at some point pal).
You have you buy a network adaptor to play online with a PS2.
*A plus for PS2 though: you do not have to pay for the service*
Xbox is the only console system that can use Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround sound IN GAME. PS2 users are limited to hearing 5.1 surround in FMV's.
Only thing I do not like about online play in console games is that they are not very compelling and quite shallow.
I enjoy my neighbor's gamecube. It is a fun little system. I luigi's mansion and metroid prime. Heh, and there is definately a reason why MP won game of the year at gamespot.com. But there are a few gripes about the GCN.
Graphic wise, the gamecube's use of textures is childish. They pull off simple stunts to amuse their audience. *cough* Zelda: The Windwaker. *cough*
*plus: the controller for the GCN is the most comfortable. Xbox comes second to me. PS2 comes third.* *the ps2 controller is far too outdated, and using it for a FPS is too hard*
Gamecube seems to stumble Online wise. Offering only the Phantasy Star series as their only multiplayer option, it seems as if Nintendo just didnt really care about online play. (I mean cmon, even the spec sheets for online play for GCN only provided answers such as N/A and TBD -- quite vague).
They are all fine systems, but I find Xbox to have the actual upper hand when it comes to future games to come. Halo 2 looks amazing, and GCN and PS2 could never pull that off.
Something I find amusing. Ubi Soft decided to port Splinter Cell to the PS2. First response: How the h........... How could they possibly........ Is it even possib.....
I will be interesting how they try to pull it off. I imagine it will be like their attempt to port Ghost Recon to the PS2. It was quite laughable.
But all in all, computer gaming wins. No matter what.
*edit* (by the way, I just realized how much I just typed, and... Wow)
Xbox's controller is big, I know. So sorry your puny little hands dont match my big manly hands. Get a controller S-type.
Also, the Xbox's controller is very well thought out. It has a breakaway cable, so that if you accidentally pull the cable too hard, the cable just pops out, instead of pulling the entire system off where it is sitting. Try that with your PS2. In fact, put your cat under it.
The origional Xbox controller is large because it is made to work with the rumble features of the controller. It is quite hard to explain, but say if a rumble signal was sent to send a vibration sliding from one side of the controller to the next, it would seem more realistic.
