Mafia's console ports are two entirely different beasts – while the Xbox version features improved playability and visuals optimized for consoles, the PS2 port can only be described as "sloppy".
The PC version of Mafia was nothing short of the video game equivalent of "The Godfather", a sprawling, ambitious third-person shooter/driving game that even to this day still boasts one of the most immersive plots in all of gaming. Mafia's strong narrative made it easy to overlook its technical faults, of which there were many – the controls were serviceable at best (shooting levels), and downright unresponsive at worst (driving). The game also required an insanely high-end PC to run smoothly, which makes the prospect of a console port all the more tantalizing.
Though the superb storyline stays fully intact, the console ports of Mafia suffer from many problems. Some of these are console-specific (degradation of textures), while others are simply carried over from the PC original (the race level, the game's tedious beginnings). On the whole, favor must be shown to the Xbox's port – short load times, optimized controls, and competent graphics ensure that console players get as close to the PC-authentic experience as possible. In fact, it wouldn't be going too far to say that the Xbox port actually plays better than the original, as the control scheme seems far more intuitive and responsive than the mouse and keyboard combo.
The PS2 version, sadly, is the polar opposite – Sony's hardware shows its age through the game's flat, dull graphics and chugging framerate, while lengthy load times leave room to watch an episode of "The Sopranos" between every level. The controls, too, suffer – the driving levels are fairly easy to navigate, but the on-foot battles are borderline impossible using a Dual Shock's sticks to aim.
As to the game itself, this is a straight up port, so my review of the PC version still holds up. However, it's important to note that Mafia hasn't exactly aged gracefully. The game starts off slowly, features an inexcusably uneven pace, and can be just plain boring at times. That said, if you own an Xbox, Mafia is by all means a solid purchase for the patient gamer. PS2 guys? Stay away.
-George
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