Yeah that is a great clip, and an intriguing idea. Also, by running it through the old-timey filter, they don't have to have their "look" complete. (Unless the look really is this Thomas Edison thing, which would be weird but OK I guess.)
IMHO breakout is descended from pong itself; different goal but same play mechanics. While pong was two-player, this game seems to evoke more the two-player mode of tetris, since defeat isn't sudden but gradually builds up over time. (...perhaps this makes defeat more agonizing and victory more pleasing?)