The Hong Kong magazine Gamewave kicked up the dust speculation with a "Monster Hunter Tri Portable" release for the PSP listed on its cover this month, but Capcom wants that dust to settle immediately. In an official response, a company spokesperson not only clarified that "Monster Hunter Tri Portable" was a rumor, he also questioned why such a reveal would occur anywhere other than in the pages of Famitsu.
"This is a rumor," Capcom UK PR manager Leo Tan told Eurogamer. "If Capcom was to announce a new Monster Hunter Portable game, the chances of its first appearance in any magazine other than Famitsu are pretty slim."
Though Gamewave's cover reportedly suggested that the PSP port might appear by the end of 2010, Tan dismissed such expectations and hypothesized that if Capcom did plan such a title it would not be ready anytime in the near future.
"We are not even remotely close to announcing a new Freedom/Portable game in the West," he said, "and I've certainly not heard of an imminent announcement in Japan."
Notice Tan didn't close any doors for "Tri" on the PSP. He just said that nothing will be happening anytime soon outside of Japan. Granted, he only said that he had "not heard" of plans for Japan, so you could still read the the lingering possibility of a Japan-only "Monster Hunter Tri Portable" game into his comments if you try really hard.
Would you like to see "Monster Hunter Tri" on the PSP? Are you surprised by Capcom's rumor dismissal? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.