How to Buy PS5 Games and Accessories on Prime Day from Russia

Amazon's Prime Day sale is back, and prices on PS5 games and accessories have already hit record lows. GamesRadar+ reports that discounts on controllers, headsets, and titles reached historic minimums even before the official start. For Russian gamers, the main question isn't what to buy but how to pay: Russian bank cards don't work on Amazon. Here's a step-by-step guide.

What's happening

Prime Day is Amazon's annual sale for Prime subscribers. This year it's in October again, and there are already significant discounts on gaming peripherals and PS5 games. GamesRadar+ notes these are the best accessory prices of the year. Exact discount numbers change daily — check the product page for current offers.

Step 1: Decide what you need

• Games — physical discs or digital codes. Discs ship only within the country of purchase; codes arrive by email.
• Accessories — DualSense controllers, headsets, charging stations, SSDs.
• Subscriptions — PlayStation Plus, which sometimes appears in sales too.

If you need a digital code, shipping isn't an issue. For physical items, you'll need a forwarder or buy only what ships to your country.

Step 2: Prepare a virtual card

Amazon accepts Visa and Mastercard issued outside Russia. VirtCardPay virtual card is one option: you top it up in rubles or crypto and pay like a regular foreign bank card. Important: Amazon requires a card with a non-zero balance and online payments enabled.

Top up with a buffer: item price + state tax (in the US it can add 5–10%) + possible conversion fee. If buying in another country, check the local tax.

Step 3: Place your order

• Log in to Amazon with a delivery address in the country of purchase (for digital codes, the address often doesn't matter).
• Add the item to your cart and proceed to checkout.
• Enter your virtual card details: number, expiry, CVV.
• Confirm payment. If your card issuer requires 3DS, a code will arrive in the VirtCardPay app.

Step 4: What to do if payment fails

• "Card declined" error — check your balance: Amazon often places a hold for several days, so you need a buffer.
• 3DS fails — make sure notifications are on and confirm the transaction in time.
• Amazon blocks the card — try another virtual card or contact the service's support.
• Digital code not received — check your spam folder and the order status in your Amazon account.

Where you can really save

Watch the deal timers: on Prime Day discounts refresh every few hours. A Prime subscription gives free shipping and early access to some offers, but you also need a card to pay for it. If you don't want Prime, look for items marked "Prime Day deal" — they're often available without a subscription, though with a smaller discount.

Service, game, and franchise names are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned only to describe the payment scenario; VirtCardPay is not affiliated with them.