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>can only catch Patrat, Audino or Lillipup before the first gym
Every game has a wide selection of Pokemon before this point, outside of arguably Kanto, but even Kanto has the Nidorans, Pidgey, Spearow, Pikachu, Caterpie, Weedle and Rattata.
I like BW but you're stuck with absolute shitmons until the first gym, including the monkey they outright give you, and it doesn't get better until the fucking desert.