After using my sprint HTC hero for the past 2 months this is my list of apps that have survived many wipes & reinstalls.

.Apps: 
-Barcode Scanner- Needed to read any of the QR codes here. Price: Free


- CacheMate - Program clears out caches from hundereds of apps + market history.  One click widget for homescreens,  great dev who responds quick and constant updates. Only for root users.  Price: $1


-SU File Manger & Terminal- Essential file browser for root users. PRICE: $1.99


-Spare Parts - Change transition speeds, see apps consuming battery, etc. Price: Free

-Tone Picker - Gives you more flexibility in choosing ringtones. Should be stock. Price: Free


- Handcent SMS - Full featured SMS client originally used to fix 100% awake time bug on hero before the new update, now the stock sms app just looks so plain.  Different layouts including dark/light iphone/android/custom handcent layout.  Price: Free


-Autostarts - Shows what applications will execute on many different types of events.  Root users can also disable apps. Price: €0.69 (about 98 cents)


- XeekuTweets - Full featured twitter client that supports lists, trends, mentions, everything the regular twitter site does.  Price: Free



- XBMC Remote - Currently still in beta not on the marketbut this awesome program already downloads all my movie library info from XBMC on my phone.  Works great over wifi as a remote. PRICE: Free Homepage 


-Backgrounds-  thousands of different background/lockscreen pictures to customize your hero. Price: Free

-Remote RDP - Good for connecting to servers to fix quick isuses. Price: $7.98

-Places Directory - Uses google places to find things to do nearby. Pictures of establishments come up with hours and one press to call.  Pretty useful. Price: Free

-ShootMe - Screen Capture utility for Root users.  Can do video captures, shake or shout capture triggers.  Root users only. Price: Free

-Pandora- Of course this is a necessity, streaming music at high quality anywhere.  Price: Free

- TasKiller - One touch taskkiller that allows you to ignore apps such as the HTC Sense programs.  Keeps phone running fast. Price: €0.70 (about 99cents) *free version also available*


- WifiTether - Turn your phone into a mobile router (and a spaceheater, seems to get phone hot).  Freeking awesome.  Not in the market - Root users only - WifiTether Homepage  Price: Free





- Shazam - If youve ever needed to know what song is playing this is the app to tell you.  Any song ive thrown at it its picked up so far.  PRICE: Free Homepage


- Google Sky Map - Uses the phones GPS and compass to tell what constilations your looking at.  Right now its too cold to even think about being outside but will be useful in summer.  PRICE: Free Homepage


- TTS Service Extended - While it might not be the most fun app this library is required for any text2speach.  Price: Free

Games:

- Cestos Full -  Multiplayer game where you knock the other players marbles into the abyss.  Lots of users online usually, pre lobby chat, overall a good time killer.  PRICE: Free Homepage
 


- ScummVM - Play my old copies of Day of The Tentacle on a touchscreen?  sweet.   Sometimes hard to hit some of the prompts, you can use trackball but there is no acceleration so its painful sometimes.  Love it.   For those of you without a legal copy of the games you can always try out some of the games from the ScummVM homepage, beneath a steel sky has got some awesome reviews -  Scummvm.org Extras PRICE: Free



- Space War - Pretty cool space shoot em up game. Price: Free



-Bonsai Blast - Fun Snood-ish/Bust-a-Move type game.  Price: Free

- Battle for Mars - Great turn based strategy game.  Took a bit to get use to but its had me playing for hours.  Homepage Price: $4.99 *free version also available*


- Buka - Protect Buka from the asteroids.  Fun time killer. Price: £1.50 (about $2.40)


- ThrottleCopter - Old flash game Ive devoted many hours into Price: Free


- Raging Thunder - 3d racing game with pretty good graphics that uses the phones tilt sensors. Price: €3.00 (about $4.30)
 

- FarmFrenzy - Run a farm feeding ducks to make eggs and cupcakes.  Watchout for the bears.  Addicting game.  Price: £3.00 (about $4.80)




- Hyperspace - Cool game where you use the phones tilt sensor to steer a ball down a 3d pathway through space.  Price: £2.50 (about $3.98)


-Speed Forge 3D - 3D racing game like wipeout.  Uses tilt sensors to steer.  Pretty good graphics.  Price: €1.99 (about $2.80)