Arriving in North America roughly two years after being released in Japan, "Spectral Force 3" received generally "fair" or "mediocre" grades from non-Japanese game critics. The title was universally panned for having sub-standard graphics, with one reviewer noting that it "... looks no better than your average PS2 title." Many reviewers felt that the game seemed more like a budget title, with GameSpy expounding, ""Spectral Force 3" would have been a great Xbox Live Arcade game, but for a game that costs about $60 off the retail shelf, we expect more depth and graphical quality." The same review also pointed out issues with game pacing, with some battles taking too long and being either too easy or too difficult.