Note that it was published as part of SIGBOVIK. This paper definitely falls within the approaches to computer science exemplified by the illustrious, eponymous Harry Q. Bovik.
You will be amused to learn that the author, Tom 7, also wrote the Crap Art Manifesto at http://crapart.spacebar.org/, which is equally funny and even more thought-provoking.
But it's not even close to beating NES Games. I'm not a expert in AI but I'm not sure it actually achieves anything.
I'd consider it more an art project than a computer science project.