crankcase76: as Doubledealer confirmed, because you've cut the seal (tape), it's no longer mint sealed, but loose mint. You can still transform and play with this toy, as long as it doesn't suffer from any damage or noticeable play wear, it will still remain loose mint. Playing with it once in a while really isn't going to affect its condition now. You're toy's not sealed no more -- so you might as well enjoy it!

Anyway, today I got 2 things:
+ Latest issue of MTMTE
+ A Transformers ball (for my daughter)