The Nintendo situation in Russia in 2026
Nintendo officially ceased sales in Russia in 2022. The Russian eShop is unavailable, direct purchases are blocked, and Russian bank cards are not accepted in foreign eShop regions. Despite this, millions of Russian gamers continue playing on Switch — and legally buying new games.
Here are the methods that actually work in 2026.
Method 1. Gift cards via the Turkish eShop (most popular)
This is the primary working method for most users.
How it works:
- Create a second Nintendo account with the Turkey region (if you do not have one already).
- Buy a Nintendo Turkey gift card on Marix — codes arrive by email instantly.
- Enter the code in the eShop under the Turkish account to add funds.
- Purchase the game you want. It will be available on your console for all accounts.
Advantages: low prices (Turkish lira), fast, no VPN required, official method.
Limitations: you need to match the card region to the account region.
Method 2. US eShop via US gift cards
For users who prefer purchasing in dollars and want access to US-exclusive sales.
How it works:
- Create an account with the US region, entering any US address (use a state with no sales tax — Oregon or Montana work well).
- Buy a Nintendo US gift card on Marix.
- Activate the code on the US account and make your purchase.
Advantages: huge selection, frequent sales, access to exclusive content.
Method 3. European eShop
European eShop cards (in euros) work the same way — you need an account with a European country region.
What definitely does NOT work
- Direct payment with Russian bank cards — blocked.
- Mir cards — not accepted in Nintendo eShop.
- The Russian eShop — unavailable, officially closed.
- Third-party "key" websites — high fraud risk, no guarantees.
Physical game cards
Switch cartridges have no regional lock. You can order physical game copies from international marketplaces or import retailers — they will run on any Switch without restrictions.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to buy through a foreign account? Yes. Creating an account in another region and using gift cards is a legal method provided by Nintendo itself. It does not violate any terms of service.
Can I play purchased games offline? Yes, if your Switch is set as the primary console for the account. Downloaded games will be available in offline mode.
What if a game costs more than a single card denomination? You can combine multiple cards of different denominations in one top-up session.
Buy Nintendo cards for any region on Marix — Turkey, US, Europe, instant delivery. Buy Nintendo cards on Marix