Although the Pokmon TCG arrived in Japan the same year as the original three Game Boy games, it didnt come over to the US until 1998
Here are the most effective ways to play around discard strategies: Draw a bunch of cards consistently, which is unfortunately something that some colors struggle to do (blue card draw and green card draw tend to be the best)
Source: PokBeach Pokemon Trading Card Game Released April 10, 2000 ESRB e The Pokmon Trading Card Game is a strategic card game where players build decks of Pokmon, Trainer, and Energy cards
Sources for the big chart: Magic sets, Pro Tours, and Mark Rosewaters Hundred and Counting recap series
Rankle and Torbran
The Gardener is especially nice, because he also works as a finisher, even just in a ramp deck