Neither opinion is incorrect. I see both sides and cannot disagree with either.
IMO, generally a loose copy will have less desirability than a sealed box/clamshell plastic sealed copy from this dig, unless it is actually ET.
For me, I prefer sealed copies, and kept missile command and centipede (second or third wave of original sales, I forget) while reselling a loose defender with a starting bid at $.99 which did not make me any money (first wave), These fit my display needs better than loose copies.