Critics commented that the game was enjoyable and had excellent graphics, but lacked in challenge and had little originality to help it stand out from previous "Sonic" games. In retrospect, critics consider it one of the best "Sonic" games on the 8-bit Game Gear, coming closer than the others to matching the quality of its 16-bit counterparts. "Triple Trouble" was rereleased on various "Sonic" game compilations, the Coleco Sonic handheld system, and the Nintendo 3DS. The game features the debut appearance of Nack the Weasel (Fang the Sniper in Japan), who would reappear in later "Sonic" media.