The enduring appeal of Budokai Tenkaichi 3 lies in its staggering roster of 161 characters and its revolutionary "behind-the-back" camera angle. Unlike traditional 2D fighters, it offered a fully 3D environment where players could smash through mountains, dive underwater, and engage in planet-shaking beam struggles. By 2021, a resurgence in popularity occurred as fans looked backward to prepare for future franchise installments. This led to a high demand for compressed ISO files—versions of the game stripped of "dummy data" to reduce file size—making it easier for fans in regions with limited bandwidth to download and enjoy the game on modern PC and mobile emulators.

The game features several modes, including: