Downstream Panic

A massive cyclone has sucked all of the fish out of the oceans. The player's task is to safely guide them back home. Levels start at the top of the area where the fish are contained in a blob of water. They need to reach the ocean safely at the bottom of the screen, with guidance from the player.

Using various creative tools like fans, onions, rockets, and cloud factories, the fish can be guided through platforms, past hungry sharks, piranhas, and many other dangers. The tools can also be used to control the flow of water and the direction the fish travel. Plants will stop the flow, while blowing flowers will open bridges at the start of each level. Initially, the area needs to be scanned using the free camera perspective to discover all the hazards.

Regular mode eventually unlocks Free Play and Survival modes. In Free Play, the player can spend money from regular games to buy tools for each stage. In Survival mode, all levels are replayed in succession, but lost fish are not regained in the next level.