"Mortal Kombat 3" was one of three 1995 recipients of the American Amusement Machine Association's Diamond Awards (which are based strictly on sales achievements). Williams Entertainment, which published the Super NES and Genesis versions, reported combined sales of 250,000 copies in the first weekend they were available, placing them among the best-selling games of 1995. The Super Nintendo version had sold more than one million copies by November 23, 1995. "Mortal Kombat 3" was nominated for the Video Software Dealers Association's "Video Game of the Year" for 1995, losing to "Donkey Kong Country 2".