The Wii is newer and packs a processor roughly 3X the power of PS2, plus it has full motion sensing controls. The PS2 is roughly half the price and is easily obtainable. As for which is better is all a matter of what games you like and how you like to play them.

PS2 has an enormous library of titles across all genres ranging from kiddy to hardcore and it also has a built in DVD player with prog scan. Wii does not play movies in any format.

The Wiis set up allows for more physically active gaming, but not everybody wants to waive a stick arround for hours on end. Again ITS PERSONAL PREFERANCE

I myself have a PS3, yes its expensive, but some of the games simply astonishing in terms of visuals and sound. PS3 is slighty ahead of 360 in graphics and crushes Wii in that area, but again the PS3 is much more expensive and really needs a good HD set up with HDMI to get the full effect

My Rig:

PS3 60 gig
HDMI Video and Optical audio cables
42 inch 1080p LCD TV
1200 watt 7.1 SS wireless home theatre with Koss speakers
2 Sixaxis Controllers
and A comfortable Chair

Both PS2 and Wii are great choices, go to your game stop and try them out for yourself.

Have fun with whichever you pick!

TJ