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FYI SOUTH Magazine, October 2003. VOL.3 ISSUE 10

Red Hat 142, JungJeng Rd., Tainan City (06) 229-6092 Open 24 hours

        Red Hat, the video-game chain store, has recently opened a major new branch in the heart of Tainan. A substantial three-story building, the words "Red Hat Center" emblazoned on the front make it hard to miss. Inside, there is a large mezzanine area with a plethora of games for both young and old: air hockey, fighting games, shooting games, dancing games, crane games (where the player guides a claw in an effort to pick up a prize); and a whole wall devoted to what the manager, Mr. Chen, says is the most popular distraction, a car racing game. The clientele is a pleasant mix of families, students, and, of course, some "colorful characters" with dyed or long hair. The second floor, which is for adults only, has gambling and pachinko type games. NT$5 buys two tokens. After 10 pm, children are not allowed in. --By Richard Matheson