PS Vita sells 1.2 million worldwide

The early PlayStation Vita launch totals are in and, according to Sony, its latest handheld console is now in the palms of over 1.2 million gamers across the globe. Today, the tech company released a formal announcement declaring its PlayStation Vita crossed the 1.2 million mark on February 26, following a successful North American launch on February 22 in North America (February 14 for First Edition Bundles), and its debut in Japan on December 17.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled with the reaction we’re seeing from consumers and the pace at which PS Vita is selling,” said SCE head Andrew House in today's statement. “The market has responded and there is clear demand for a mobile device capable of providing a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within a real world context.”

House said Sony is continuing to work with 3rd party developers to expand the PS Vita's software lineup, adding, “2012 will have something for everyone across the globe.”

By contrast, Nintendo moved 3.61 million units worldwide in the two-month period between its initial Japanese launch on February 26, 2011, and the last recorded sale in April 2011. Technically, PS Vita has no way of beating that record as it's already been out in Japan for over two months, but it nonetheless is on track to matching the 3DS' beginning pace.

Read our own PS Vita predictions and analysis in our recent review, or leave your own in the comments below.