Creating interesting clock, have a few ideas but need advice driving 200+ LEDs.

6A595 has 350mA outputs.
I'd recommend strings of 4-5 LEDs from 12V. Will need waaaay less current.
You need a resistor per LED string. Or a resistor per LED as the LEDs do not run at Exactly the same voltage; with a bunch in parallel, the first one to turn on can sink all the current, and end up burning out.
Or, you could add 4 more MX7219s to control the inner LEDs.