It is hard to say.
I am firm believer that SNES was superior to NES in every way and series like Zelda, Metroid, and Final Fantasy show this for me. However, without that 8 bit innovation boom, we would not have had the amazing refinement period of the 16 bit era.
In honesty I want a mix. I want the comfort of playing prettier versions of a formula I adore while also seeing new series take chances as could become the next formula I adore.