The main drawback to Google's Lean-back launcher is that it doesn't show non-lean-back apps, forcing you to access them from the settings. I tried my go-to, Apex Launcher, which worked at first, but at some point it decided not to give focus any more, so I had to plug in a mouse to use it.
What are the best alternate launchers that implement focus correctly for a gamepad? Or should I just resign to using a mouse? (Could I emulate a mouse with the gamepad?)
HALauncher
Someone recommended it on reddit. Don't know who. You can customize the look, apps displayed, and their order. EDIT: I just want to point out, I personally use this one. I don't like not being able to reorder the apps on the standard leanback launcher, and I like being able to customize the colors. I've had no issues with using this as a replacement at all.