PS2 Online Gaming

I own both PS2 and original Xbox. Both are ready to be enabled online (Xbox via Xlink Kai). I am going to get a shooter game, but I don't know what to choose: one of the PS2 shooters (I heard Area 51 and Battlefield 2 are popular) or Halo 2 via Xlink Kai?

The thing is, Halo 2 is obviously the best shooter game and the Xbox controller S is much better than DualShock for shooter games. But the problem is that with Xlink Kai my PC needs to be on the whole time (correct me if I'm wrong) which is inconvenient. Now, I'm not sure if there are more players on Halo 2 via Kai or PS2 games like Area 51. Anyway, what shall I go for?

Please no 'fanboy' bias towards either PS2 or Xbox.

honestly battlefield 2 is still very active everyday I would suggest you get that also Area 51 to my knowledge does not have xlink support

I don't need Xlink on PS2, Xbox only. Any other decent PS2 shooters? Thanks for the post but I obviously need more opinions.

timesplitters Future Perfect is really good

Nice to hear that, but the main thing I want to know is how popular each game is in terms of online gamers. I can simply check how good each game is by looking at its MetaCritic score. BTW, is there a list or something that shows the average no. of active online players of each game (that way I can see which one is popular)

there is no list but with time splitters I play with a group at least once a week also Tribes is a really great game and that is played every friday and is hosted by teamrookie last week was a decent turnout

Okay. What do you think about COD2 and Sniper Elite?

I dont have either but I know for a fact CoD2 has a decent amount of players but COD3 has way more

Okay.