Dan, I will keep the GT 3 in mind. Good thing I do not have kids. I am a bachelor (that is why I can still have a Chevelle and soon a PS2)

Alon, thanks your input is always appreciated. I originally bought the XBOX based on the fact that it slaughters the other consoles in specifications (at least in theory). Take a look at this: http://www.tomshardware.com/consumer/01q4/011204/console-03.html So I thought, that based on these specs the graphics had to be better than the PS2. Now I have not seen PS2 graphics but I was not impressed with the XBOX graphics. I bought the game Halo together with the XBOX and played it for two days. The graphics were good (although they are still a joke compared to the ones I get from my 19" SONY PC monitor) but hey I was not expecting a TV to have the resolution of a professional PC monitor. They were good for TV though but NOT great. I do not know how the graphics for the PS2 are, I have not seen one.
I also agree with you with regards to the huge remote controller. It is uncomfortable especially for people with small hands like myself.
I like the Gamecube too, but there are not many games I like.

I came across a review of consoles in a British website and it shed some light as to why the XBOX does not offer better graphics than the PS2 despite the specs. The conclusion was that the increased specs of the XBOX become apparent only on huge HDTV screens. On these screens the XBOX's higher resolution capability (1920 x 1080) can shine versus the PS2's (640 x 480). On smaller TVs like my 27 incher both of the consoles are more than adequate and there can not be any difference.
Now I am not planning on getting an HDTV anytime soon since I am not a TV fanatic so I will not need the XBOX capabilities anyway.