Mad fish

Category: 2 Player, Arcade Plays: 26 Rating:

(0.0 / 0)

How to Play

Game Overview

So *Mad Fish* is this two-player game where you're both piranhas trying to eat each other and smaller fish in a river. The visual style is kind of cartoony but not in a cute way--everything has this rough, almost scribbly look to it, with bright colors that clash against murky backgrounds. You start off tiny, which feels ridiculous because you can barely eat anything without getting snapped up by a bigger fish that's just floating around. The controls are simple: you move your fish around and try to avoid other fish that are larger than you, which is basically the whole game loop. It's surprisingly tense because there's always something bigger lurking just off-screen, and you never know if that shadow is a friend or something that'll swallow you whole. The vibe is frantic but also kind of goofy--you'll be chasing a smaller fish one second, then suddenly you're the one running for your life. Who would get hooked on it? Probably people who like quick, chaotic multiplayer games where you can laugh at your friend getting eaten. It's not deep or polished, but that's part of the charm. The sound effects are cheesy too--like cartoon chomps and splashes that make every death feel silly rather than frustrating. If you want a game that's just about pure survival instinct and messing with each other, this hits that spot.

About Mad fish

So *Mad Fish* is this chaotic 2-player arcade thing where you and a friend are piranhas trying to eat each other and everything else. The main loop is dead simple: you swim around, eat smaller fish to grow bigger, and avoid anything larger than you. But it gets messy fast because both players are doing the same thing, so there's this constant tension of who's the bigger fish at any moment.

What you're actually doing with your hands is using two joysticks or arrow keys--one for movement, one for a quick dash that helps you dodge or close in for a kill. The dash has a short cooldown, so timing matters. Early on, you start as a tiny fish in the "Shallows" level, where the biggest threats are other small piranhas and maybe a few medium catfish. You're mostly just chomping minnows and guppies, building up your size bar. Once you hit a certain threshold, you evolve into a bigger form--think "Razor Piranha" or "Spikefin"--which gives you a unique ability like a temporary speed boost or a damaging aura.

The difficulty ramps up because the river has layers. In "The Rapids" level, the current pushes you around, making it harder to aim your dashes. Later, "The Abyss" introduces bioluminescent predators that only appear when you're near them--they're invisible otherwise, which is annoying but cool. Enemy types include "Sawtooth Eels" that patrol in loops and "Gulpers" that try to inhale you from below. The satisfying moment is when you're barely smaller than a rival player and you manage to bait them into a Gulper's mouth, then swoop in to eat their leftovers.

Upgrades come from eating "Glowing Kelp" that spawns after a player dies--it gives you a temporary attack boost or a shield. There's no real leveling system outside of size, but the size bar has breakpoints where you unlock new dash styles or a second dash charge. The game ends when one player reaches the "Megalodon" size and gobbles the other whole, or after a timer runs out and the bigger fish wins. The whole thing is frantic, you're always watching your back, and the screen gets cluttered with fish bits and bubbles. It's not pretty but it works 💥.

Tips & Tricks

The size difference matters more than you think--don't bother chasing fish that are even slightly bigger. I've lost plenty of runs by getting greedy near a slightly larger piranha. Speed bursts are your best friend when escaping, but they drain fast, so save them for when a big fish is right on your tail. Coral reefs aren't just decoration; they're perfect hiding spots when the river gets crowded with predators. One thing that took me forever to notice: the shadows on the riverbed actually show where larger fish are lurking above you. Watch those instead of just looking ahead. Smaller fish tend to group in currents, so follow the flow of water to find easy meals without wandering into danger. Also, don't circle back too quickly after escaping--big fish have short memories but long attack ranges. I learned that the hard way when I swam right back into a mouth. Lastly, the game punishes hesitation; if you spot a tiny fish, go for it immediately because another predator might snatch it first. Patience pays off only when you're hiding, not when you're hunting.