The key terminology here is basic Energy, you need to get three different types of basic Energy on the card before you can even attack, locking out shortcuts like Aurora Energy
Pokemon cards I think are worth buying - McDonald's Pikachu (2025) - This card got expensive for a minute, went back down to $20-25
All these options are significantly less expensive than buying Cyclonic Rift, and they come with various advantages: they're cheaper to cast, they deal with permanents permanently, and as artifacts they can be tutored up easier with cards like Whir of Invention
As I grew older, I graduated to the plugged-in controller, then to playing on my own while my parents did repairs, went to the store, did anything else you might do while your child is distracted in front of what seemed like one of the greatest inventions in all of mankind