"Virtua Fighter 3" has received positive reviews from critics. "Computer and Video Games" reviewed the arcade version in its November 1996 issue and declared that it "is the best 3D fighting game ever." Sushi-X of "Electronic Gaming Monthly" felt that the traditional fighting styles represented by the two new characters were both executed very well. He said that both the graphics and the combat innovations fully lived up to the high expectations for the Model 3 board, though he was somewhat disappointed that the game did not significantly diverge from the style of "Virtua Fighter 2". Bruised Lee of "GamePro" considered this a critical problem, summarizing that "VF3's graphics showcase an awesome level of visual realism never before seen in any game, but too many recycled "Virtua Fighter 2" features keep VF3 from being a true masterpiece." He particularly cited the small number of new moves for the returning characters. A "Next Generation" critic instead described the game as "uniquely engrossing and technologically advanced in every way, from its gameplay, to its graphics, backgrounds, characters, and sound effects." He opined that the two new characters were not interesting enough to attract newcomers to the series, but had depth, playability, and uniqueness on par with the well-regarded returning cast. He also concluded the usage of the dodge button and opponent tracking "makes "VF3" the first game to full realize 3D gameplay."