Should I open a NIB Coleco Telstar Classic??

[2bit]

I have a dilemma. I have never posted, but am at my wits end...Once done, there's no going back.
I just received this console from a 90+ year old neighbor who had it in a closet for the past 35 years which is very weird in and of itself.

The box has never been opened. The ends are taped shut with the original packing tape, and has the original price tag. The box is perfect and is so old, IT HAS NO BAR CODE!! how cool is that? I've read everything I can find about it and it appears that it is the 1st wooden cabinet console, other than prototypes. Supposedly it came only partially assembled- You had to put the knobs and stickers on it yourself! But are these legends true? There's only one way to find out!!! As a collector, of course I would never want to do anything destructive.
It's like a time capsule from the very early days of video gaming.

I feel I am being torn apart!
On one side there is my love of and reverence for the preservation of history, but on the other, is my insatiable desire to play the console!
I really want to see whats inside, but what should I do??
What would you do?
HELP ME racketboy...please,
I throw my burden on the collective wisdom of this high alter.

[noiseredux]

if you are going to PLAY it then open it.

[CRTGAMER]

if you are going to PLAY it then open it.

Agree. A sealed game or console to me has no value. What if it doesn't even work? Enjoy the console, you are not going to get enough money to retire when you sell it.

Please post pics of the opening ceremony though, interested to see the rarity.

[vlame]

ebay it if you need the money or donate it to a museum (possibly?) if you don't.

[BRIK]

I would play it, but keep all the inserts, foam etc in the best condition you can. Also if you made a video of opening it up, that would be sweet.

[AppleQueso]

SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE
SELL IT AND BUY AN ALREADY OPENED ONE

Seriously! EVERYBODY WINS.

[eSPy]

hmm..considering its just a basic pong game, im guessing you will regret opening it after playing it for about 30 seconds.

just watch this to get the full experience.

[arnold_the_bartender]

You could always buy another one for play if you want to keep the NIB for display. Obvious suggestions have already been posted. I'm more of a CIB/NIB stickler but that's just me. I enjoy my collection even if I'm not playing anything all the time.

[D.D.D.]

I say open it. How often can you say you could open something that old that's still "new".

[Gnashvar]

Sell it