Millions of Japanese can't be wrong can they. Noodle Cup which are effectively the same thing are very popular in Asia.
There isn't a great deal wrong with Pot Noodles if you ask me.
As for "What on earth could be simpler than cooking some quick-cook pasta and chucking some sauce on", next time it's lunch time in my office come over and make me pasta and sauce, we have a kettle and err thats it...
I should say I don't eat a great deal of Pot Noodle, just don't know what people are so snobby about it.