Hm. Something I noticed a while ago but never really got around to discussing -- every time the 3DS is mentioned in an official capacity, it is always the "Nintendo 3DS," while the Wii U is just the Wii U. They don't say the "Nintendo Wii U."

Here's an example. Iwata says the phrase "Nintendo 3DS" three times in 45 seconds, to the point that the "Nintendo" part is surely redundant. But Wii U is always just Wii U.

I thought it was weird ever since I started noticing it, and this feels sort of tangentially related.

Don't be facetious. Nintendo sold 50 million of a product that almost every Television manufacturer, and some Mobile phone manufacturers, were unable to find a market for. That is not a failure of a product. 

All hail Nintendo.

I hope so

Are you sure? Why don't the shops have ceilings?

Positive, there is a big thread on Gaf about it, it's nationwide.

I don't think this has anything to do with the supposed rebranding because it was the same way with the Wii and DS. Link 

Well, it has something to do with the rebranding if the Wii U section has a giant NINTENDO logo above it, and if their next console is called the "Nintendo" something.

Have you been in a Walmart in the last decade or so? :P  They all use that pseudo-warehouse look with no drop ceiling.  Unless they are just really old locations.  A lot of stores follow that look; low maintenance and cheap to build. 

Maybe some of that magic 3DS fairy dust will sprinkle on the Wii U