So then why not just arm9loaderhax into GWemuNAND, and when I want classic mode I just hop into HBL and load the GW Menu from there? Or is there an even better solution to getting GW Classic mode?
I want RedCart like normal. But I also want Classic mode for BlueCart, DSTwo, SKy3DS, etc.
You can go the A9LH route, I was just advising that you try out menuhax with a boot manager/auto-boot and see if you are satisfied with the boot time and boot rate.
Again, with arm9loaderhax you wouldn't need HBL. You can boot to what GW calls "classic" mode without even needing GW, and this is by using Luma3DS. You could then play your DS games, Sky3DS, and even the CIAs installed to your EmuNAND. I already mentioned this
here.
So I just hold DOWN and boot into HBL on launch and then use the GW Menu from there... then just reboot. That I'm totally okay with. Or is there a better way of doing this? Because at this point it seems like autoboot menuhax is just.... overly complicated for what I need?
Using only menuhax auto-boot is not complicated. IIRC, you already installed menuhax the other day, so it's just a matter of launching menuhax_manager again an changing to "Type 2".
Even using a boot manager is not complicated. You'd just have to download the boot manager, copy the files to the SD card and follow that "how to auto-boot GW" tutorial and the snippet I gave.
My advice, since you seem a little bit confused:
• First, reconfigure menuhax to auto-boot and use just that
• If after some time you feel it's not a great experience, try the boot manager
• If that still feels not right, set arm9loaderhax up and I'm sure you'll be satisfied this time
Basically, baby steps.