To "pick up and play" is really easy. The basic concept is exactly like AoE except your resources are always near your initial base and you have the option (though it's pretty mandatory) to expand and make another base. It's like Warcraft ladder (though nobody likes that, lol). To get good at it, however, takes an eternity, lol.
And is this portable version one with the newest update?
If so, I can just play with my regular BW.