It's more of an adventure-type thing, in the "run to the end of the level, rack up lots of points, and kill as many of the enemy as possible" sense. Although the Smash TV approach sounds pretty cool too.
And yeah, that's exactly what you think it is... a mockup. What?
Oh, and here's an avatar I magicked out of my ass. 5 colors, and 2 hours of nitpicking.