I'll always prefer the original for it's dark and beautifully strange vibe. That's THE Gremlins movie. It's Gremlins
But as for Gremlins 2, while I agree that it didn't get as much attention when it was released as Gremins did when it came out, I think most people agree with you these days and prefer 2.
I like Gremlins 2 a lot, and I am glad Dante made it! Yes, it not only made fun of the first film, but it also had all sorts of other "messages" (for lack of a better word) in it, no matter how subtle (the first one had some too).
Though I'd choose the first if I could only have one of them, Gremlins 2 is indeed great!