Microsoft may be busy positioning their system as 'the next big thing', but we're told today by the firm that old games will be left out in the cold by the technology.

Speaking at the Tokyo Game Show, Kudo Tsunoda told Destructoid, that simply too much code would need to be altered in older games in order to achieve Natal compatibility.

A simple update would "not be enough", Tsunoda says, publishers needing to re-release their games in order to make them work with the ambitious full-body motion controller.

It is unclear whether older games will work with the PS3's motion controller, due out in the spring, or whether this rival system too will require a fresh start.

In potentially related news, boss Phil Spencer has said this week that he wouldn't be shocked to see Lionhead's 3 working with Natal.

By Luke Guttridge