於1994年9月29日在超級任天堂（SFC）平台推出，是萬代在SFC上「超武鬥傳」三部曲的最終章。從技術層面來看，本作在畫面表現與角色動作流暢度上達到系列高峰，但玩家評價卻相當兩極。對於喜愛硬核格鬥的玩家來說，它是系列中最成熟的一作；而對於追求豐富劇情的粉絲，則可能感到有些遺憾。

由萬代發行，開發則由TOSE負責。作為系列收官之作，在視覺與音效上都有明顯提升，角色模型比例更為協調，色彩鮮豔飽滿，忠實呈現動畫後期風格。遊戲收錄九位基礎角色，主要聚焦於「魔人布歐篇」初期，包括青年悟飯、悟天、小特南克斯、達普拉、界王神，以及最終反派魔人布歐（肥布歐）。透過隱藏指令，玩家還能解鎖經典的「未來特南克斯」，增加了收藏與對戰的深度。

本作最受老玩家詬病的一點，是完全取消劇情模式。與前作《超武鬥傳 2》充滿分歧與引人入勝的「若故事」相比，三代的單人體驗相當單薄。據傳，由於遊戲開發期間《魔人布歐篇》漫畫尚處於連載初期，製作團隊難以構思完整劇情，因此將重心全部放在對戰系統。玩家單人遊玩時的目標主要是參加「天下第一武道會」並奪冠，之後便直接進入工作人員名單。這種策略雖然確保了遊戲能搭上動畫熱潮，但也讓敘事深度不及前作。

儘管缺乏劇情，戰鬥手感被公認為系列最強。開發團隊針對前作節奏較慢的缺點進行大幅調整，角色移動、跳躍與集氣速度顯著增加，讓玩家能做出更精準的連段與瞬移反擊。螢幕分割與氣功對波的經典機制依然保留，但操作判定更加嚴謹。「流星連段」仍然存在，但輸入難度極高，是高手間展現實力的關鍵。空中戰鬥過渡也更加流暢，透過L、R鍵的側向衝刺可以進行快速心理博弈，使整體對戰競技性達到SFC時期的巔峰。

市場對本作的評價相當微妙，體現「格鬥性」與「誠意」之間的拉鋸。優點在於本作提供系列最流暢的對戰體驗，新角色如悟天與界王神招式設計新穎，對喜歡與朋友對戰的玩家來說極具爽快感。此外，開場對話與過場細節依然保有濃厚的龍珠風味。缺點則是缺乏劇情模式被視為重大退步，加上漫畫進度限制，許多人氣角色如達爾（魔人形態）、悟天克斯或超級賽亞人3悟空未能收錄（這些角色後來在 PS 平台的《Ultimate Battle 22》中補齊），讓部分期待大作的玩家感到有些虎頭蛇尾。

總體而言，《超武鬥傳 3》是一款「特化對戰」作品，它用捨棄敘事換取極致的戰鬥手感。雖然無法像二代那樣成為劃時代的傳奇，但對於想在 SFC 上體驗最純粹、爽快龍珠對決的玩家而言，它仍然是不可或缺的格鬥收藏。

Released on September 29, 1994, for the Super Famicom, Dragon Ball Z: Super Butoden 3 represents the final chapter of Bandai’s “Super Butoden” trilogy on the SFC platform. Technically, it reached the series’ peak in terms of graphics and character fluidity, yet its reception among players has been notably divided. For fans who prioritize hardcore fighting mechanics, it is considered the most refined installment, while those seeking rich story content may feel a sense of disappointment.

Published by Bandai and developed by TOSE, Super Butoden 3 marked a significant visual evolution, coinciding with the early “Majin Buu Saga” of the Dragon Ball Z anime. Character models were more proportionate, colors more vibrant, and animations smoother, faithfully reflecting the style of the anime’s later episodes. The game features nine base characters focused on the early Buu saga, including Teen Gohan, Goten, Kid Trunks, Dabura, Supreme Kai, and the final antagonist Majin Buu (Fat Buu). With secret commands, players could also unlock the classic “Future Trunks,” adding extra depth for collectors and competitive players.

One of the most notable departures in this installment was the complete removal of a story mode. Unlike Super Butoden 2, which offered branching “what-if” scenarios, the third game’s single-player experience is minimal. This was largely due to the timing of the game’s development—the Buu Saga was still in its early serialization, making it difficult for the team to craft a full narrative. As a result, the focus shifted entirely to the battle system, with the single-player goal reduced to competing in the “World Martial Arts Tournament” and aiming for victory, followed immediately by the staff roll. While this ensured the game capitalized on the anime’s popularity, it left the storytelling much less engaging than its predecessor.

Despite the lack of narrative, the gameplay is widely regarded as the series’ most finely tuned. The development team addressed the slower pacing of previous games, increasing the speed of movement, jumping, and ki charging. This removed much of the delay present in the first two titles, allowing players to execute more precise combos and instant counterattacks. Signature mechanics such as split-screen combat and ki clashes were retained but with stricter input detection. Advanced techniques like the “Meteor Combo” remained in the game, though their high difficulty meant they became the domain of expert players. Air combat transitions were also refined, with lateral dashes via the L and R buttons enabling fast, strategic maneuvers, making competitive battles feel smoother and more intense than ever.

The market reception of Super Butoden 3 is nuanced, reflecting a trade-off between pure fighting mechanics and narrative depth. On the positive side, it offers the series’ most fluid combat experience, and new characters like Goten and Supreme Kai feature fresh and innovative moves. For players who enjoy versus battles with friends, it delivers the most exhilarating gameplay of the trilogy. Its opening dialogue and transition animations still maintain the distinct Dragon Ball flavor that fans cherish. On the downside, the absence of a story mode was seen as a significant regression. Many fan-favorite characters, including Dabura (Majin form), Gotenks, and Super Saiyan 3 Goku, were not included due to serialization timing, though these characters would later appear in the PlayStation release Ultimate Battle 22, leaving some players feeling the installment ended prematurely.

In summary, Super Butoden 3 is a game specialized for competitive battles. It sacrifices narrative depth to achieve the ultimate fighting feel. While it may not reach the legendary status of its predecessor in terms of story innovation, for anyone seeking the purest, fastest, and most satisfying Dragon Ball combat experience on the SFC, it remains an essential title in the series’ fighting game collection.