Ariel the Little Mermaid is an action-adventure game where you help either Ariel or her father Triton defeat the evil Ursula. She has turned everyone into small, green worm-like creatures, including the character you don't initially choose. Your goal is to rescue them by swimming into their fixed positions in a watery world.
The gameplay involves simply navigating through the underwater world while avoiding and fighting off enemies like eels, clams, sharks, and other sea creatures. You can also summon friends like Flounder and Sebastian for assistance during your quest.