Why is Halo 2 graphics compared so often to Halo 3?

Is it because Halo 3 looks like Halo 2 so much? Or vice versa?

You know Halo 3 isn't next-gen graphics when its compared repeatedly to last generation Halo. Even the thought of comparing the  2 games implies Halo 3 is hardly kicking the next-gen graphics barrier.

So accept it Halo 3 does not have good graphics. I seen better graphics on PC games 2 years ago (aka Half-Life 2). 

because of people like you. I still find it funny that it looks better than any PS3 FPS, yet they trash it. What are they saying about the ps3 then? Don't say resistance either. Own it and halo 3 beta and no it doesn't.