Nintendo 3DS
IN PHOTO: An attendee plays the Super Smash Bros game for Nintendo 3DS at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, in Los Angeles, California June 11, 2014. REUTERS/Kevork Djansezian

Kids in the UK reportedly prefer tablet devices for gaming, according to a WSJ report. This will be the last thing that makers of dedicated gaming consoles such as Nintendo would like to hear.

A recent survey conducted on British kids has brought to the fore this startling discovery but this will for sure have global ramifications. With this, Nintendo has to contend an ever plunging sale of its gaming hardware and has its work cut out if it wishes to survive the tablet onslaught.

The survey showed a staggering 46 percent of the kids within the 4-6 year group have said they'd rather have a tablet for gaming than other gaming hardware which includes Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation or Microsoft Xbox.

As for the chosen tablet, Apple iPad Air has emerged as the top preference for 24 percent of the toddlers.

Futuresource Consulting's survey revealed 44 percent of the children in the UK have a tablet of their own, with 30 percent falling in the age group 3- or 4-year-olds. Smartphone penetration is even higher, with 25 percent among 9- or 10-year-olds owning one and a higher 46 percent within the age group 11-12 years.

Among the other dedicated gaming devices, Sony PlayStation 4 has made it to the top of the kid's preference with 8 percent preferring it, followed by Microsoft Xbox (7 percent) and Nintendo DS (6 percent). The trend will be particularly disturbing for Nintendo as gaming consoles form its sole business. Meanwhile both Microsoft and Sony have tablet and smartphone sales to fall back on.

The study also cited tablets alone are not to be blamed for the slow demise of gaming devices as smartphones have also done their part.

Both tablet and smartphones are more versatile than gaming consoles while parents too are found to be more likely to buy these for their wards than a gaming device.

One may accomplish much more than simply gaming with their tablets or smartphones. Both can also serve as teaching aids for the kids, which form another strong pitching point for parents to consider buying these devices for their kids than just being gaming consoles.