In terms of song selection, buying Volume 1 and 2 is the same as buying the double disc, The Essential Journey that came out a few years ago. There are a couple pros. It's super cheap. They're probably around $5.00 each for Volume 1 and 2. Also, they finally got it right on a compilation album by including both "Feelin' That Way" and "Anytime" back-to-back like they always played it on the radio. I recommend it. If you like it, buy the remastered albums. Most of them are $5.00-$7.00 at many physical stores or online.
Note: I wish Sony/Columbia would remaster the first 3 pre-Steve Perry Journey albums. There's some great music on them. They're not out of print but are still the flat sounding late 1980's CD releases. Interesting fact: Gregg Rolie, vocalist for the Woodstock era Santana (1969-1972) is the singer and keyboard player on those albums. Neal Schon, who plays on all Journey albums, was also in Santana (1971-1972). In fact, he was the 2nd lead guitar player behind Carlos Santana. When those two disagreed with the musical direction Carlos Santana was headed, they left and formed Journey in 1973.